European surgical teams are now harnessing the power of 3D-printed organ models to improve patient outcomes and procedural precision. This week, several leading medical centers in the Netherlands and Switzerland announced the routine use of 3D-printed, patient-specific organ replicas for pre-surgical planning in complex procedures, including cardiac and liver surgeries.

The adoption of this technology enables surgeons to visualize and practice intricate operations on lifelike models before entering the operating room. Early data show reduced surgery times and fewer intraoperative complications, leading to enhanced patient safety and better recovery rates. By integrating detailed imaging data with advanced 3D printing techniques, healthcare professionals can tailor surgical strategies to each patient’s unique anatomy.

The move marks a significant step forward in personalized medicine and surgical education. As more hospitals across Europe begin to invest in this innovation, it is anticipated that pre-surgical planning will continue to evolve, making minimally invasive and highly precise interventions more accessible. For more on this trend, see the BMJ’s recent feature on 3D printing in medicine.