Stereolithography: Application to neurosurgery

Computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) by stereolithography are already being widely used in industry for the design and manufacture of new parts and have already shown accuracy in reproducing the desired model. The only shortcoming of this technique is that it can only make one model at a time, a "prototype." It cannot be used for mass production. It is precisely this property, namely making a prototype, that makes it so attractive in reconstructive surgery and implantation of prostheses, where each "part" has to be adapted to the unique anatomy of the patient. It was not until the early nineties that reports of the application of stereolithography to reconstructive surgery appeared in the literature, and even now they are scarce. However, it is a very promising technique, and we think that it is important for physicians to familiarize themselves with this concept.