Applications of 3D Printing in Veterinary Medicine

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Veterinary Clinical Studies".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2026 | Viewed by 506

Editor


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Guest Editor
College of Veterinary Medicine, Jeonbuk National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Interests: small animal veterinary orthopedic surgery; trauma and fracture management; minimally invasive orthopedic surgery; biomechanical research/studies; 3D printing in biomedical and clinical applications

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The integration of 3D printing technology is fundamentally transforming veterinary medicine, offering unprecedented capabilities for personalized patient care. This disruptive technology enables the creation of patient-specific anatomical models, surgical guides, and implants directly from diagnostic imaging data. By facilitating precise pre-operative planning and the execution of complex procedures, 3D printing significantly enhances surgical accuracy, reduces operative time, and improves overall treatment outcomes across a wide range of animal species.

Beyond surgical applications, the scope of 3D printing extends to the fabrication of custom prosthetics, orthotics, and innovative dental solutions, directly improving the quality of life of animal patients. The emerging frontier of bioprinting holds the potential for tissue engineering, paving the way for future regenerative therapies.

This Special Issue aims to consolidate the latest advancements and establish evidence-based practices in this rapidly evolving field. We seek to provide a comprehensive resource that bridges the gap between technological innovation and clinical application, showcasing how 3D printing is redefining the standards of care in veterinary medicine.

We invite you to contribute your latest research and insights to this relevant collection.

Dr. Su-Young Heo
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • 3D printing
  • veterinary surgery
  • patient-specific implants
  • surgical planning
  • additive manufacturing
  • bioprinting

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

17 pages, 3619 KB  
Communication
Modular Revision of a Failed Patient-Specific 3D-Printed Scapulo-Humeral Endoprosthesis in a Dog with Proximal Humeral Osteosarcoma: First Clinical Communication
by Usov Stanislav Yuryevich, Gaetano Principato, Marco Tabbì, Marco Currenti, Girolamo Messina, Ekaterina Burkhan, Francesco Macrì and Enrico Panichi
Animals 2026, 16(14), 2143; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16142143 - 10 Jul 2026
Abstract
Canine appendicular osteosarcoma (OSA) is typically managed by limb amputation. However, this approach may be suboptimal in dogs with concurrent osteoarthrosis (OA). Limb-sparing surgery using three-dimensional (3D)-printed patient-specific implants (PSIs) may be an alternative, although evidence on implant durability and revision strategies remains [...] Read more.
Canine appendicular osteosarcoma (OSA) is typically managed by limb amputation. However, this approach may be suboptimal in dogs with concurrent osteoarthrosis (OA). Limb-sparing surgery using three-dimensional (3D)-printed patient-specific implants (PSIs) may be an alternative, although evidence on implant durability and revision strategies remains limited, in particular for proximal humeral reconstructions. This report describes a 9-year-old, overweight dog referred for a 4-week history of persistent left forelimb lameness. Computed tomography (CT) confirmed a lesion affecting the proximal humerus and severe bilateral hip OA. Fine-needle aspiration cytology supported a presumptive diagnosis of OSA. Limb-sparing surgery with 3D-printed PSIs was chosen instead of amputation due to overweight status and OA. Patient-specific guides (PSGs) and endoprosthesis (PSE) were designed based on preoperative CT. Histopathology of the resected tumour confirmed OSA with complete surgical margins. Postoperative functional recovery was favorable, with progressive return to weight-bearing and mild residual lameness up to 8 months. At 9 months, implant failure occurred due to fracture at the distal humeral fixation region. Revision surgery was performed using a novel 3D-printed modular PSE integrating the retained proximal component, allowing restoration of limb function for an additional 6 months. The dog was euthanized at 15 months due to pulmonary metastases. Post-mortem macroscopic and histological visual semi-quantitative assessment of peri-implant tissue suggested advanced osseointegration, with no local recurrence or infection. This report suggests that PSI-based limb-sparing reconstruction may be feasible in proximal humeral OSA and highlights mechanical fatigue as a key limitation. The modular revision approach suggests the potential of additive manufacturing for salvage strategies after implant failure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of 3D Printing in Veterinary Medicine)
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