The use of 3D printing technologies in healthcare applications is a well-known and consolidated process. This process is based on the acquisition of volumetric images from computerized tomography and / or magnetic resonance and on their elaboration through specific software applications (eg. MIMICS, Materialize) allow isolating / segmenting the anatomical regions of interest and producing files of compatible format with 3d dimensional printers.
The real challenge today is to create specific patient anatomical models to support surgical planning as integrated services in a Hospital system. Dr. Paolo Gargiulo is a pioneer of these technologies, he has established, more than 10 years ago, the first integrated surgical planning service in Europe based on 3D printing technologies at Landspitali National Hospital of Iceland. During these years more than 200 operations have been assisted using these techniques in various clinical specialties such us: maxillofacial, orthopedic, plastic surgery, cardiac surgery and neurosurgery. In all cases there was a substantial reduction in the time in the operating room and greater safety in implementing the surgical procedure. In some cases this process helped save patient's lives having provided additional information on the disease and giving the surgeon the opportunity to try the surgical procedure directly on the 3D model [1].