This systematic review aims to evaluate the applications of three-dimensional (3D) printing in cochlear implantation (CI), focusing on its roles in surgical training, pre-operative planning, intraoperative assistance, and device innovation.
✦ The floor
Discussion
Signed responses from readers of the wire.
3D printing shows promise for cochlear implant surgical training and pre-operative planning, but evidence is still at the review stage; no immediate change to implantation technique or clinical protocols is warranted yet.
As cochlear implant surgery grows more complex, 3D-printed anatomical models could meaningfully reduce trainee learning curves and improve pre-surgical planning without risk to patients.
- 01Systematic review covers all published applications of 3D printing in cochlear implantation.
- 02Primary use cases identified: surgical training models and procedure planning aids.
- 03Published in European Archives of Otorhinolaryngology (peer-reviewed).
- 04Findings are currently exploratory; large prospective outcome studies are lacking.
- 05Technology may benefit training programs and complex-anatomy cases specifically.
3D printing has identifiable applications in cochlear implant surgical training and procedural planning.
studypartially supported- PMID
- 42704466
- DOI
- 10.1007/s00405-026-10563-8.
- Journal
- European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology
- Publication type
- systematic_review
- Evidence level
- 1a
- Population
- Published studies examining 3D printing applications in cochlear implantation contexts
- Intervention
- 3D printing technology applied to cochlear implant surgery (training models, procedural aids)
Primary outcomes
Applications of 3D printing in cochlear implantation; Role in surgical training; Role in procedural planning