Customized 3D-printed PMMA molds yielded satisfactory aesthetics in 87.5% of eight cranioplasty patientsSmall study finds 3D-printed molds help create custom cranioplasty implants with good results

This retrospective case series examined the use of customized polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) implants fabricated with 3D-printed molds for cranial reconstruction. The study population consisted of eight patients undergoing cranioplasty, with no comparator group or control arm reported. The setting and specific follow-up duration were not reported in the available data.

Regarding procedural efficiency, design time ranged from approximately 1 hour for small defects to 3 hours for larger defects. Printing time ranged from 2 to 3 hours for smaller defects and up to 8 to 10 hours for larger reconstructions. These metrics describe the intraoperative workflow and design phases but do not include statistical comparisons.

Primary clinical outcomes focused on aesthetic results, which were deemed satisfactory in 7 of 8 patients (87.5%). Secondary outcomes included design time, printing time, intraoperative workflow, and aesthetic outcomes. Safety analysis indicated that no major implant-related complications were observed, though serious adverse events and discontinuations were not reported.

Key limitations include the small sample size of eight patients, the retrospective nature of the design, and the absence of a comparator group, which precludes causal inference regarding efficacy or safety. Funding sources and conflicts of interest were not reported. While the practice relevance notes this as a feasible, accessible, and effective technique, particularly for resource-limited settings, the evidence remains limited to a case series. Clinicians should interpret these results with caution until supported by larger, prospective trials.