Three-Dimensional Printing in Rhinoplasty

Abstract

Rhinoplasty is considered one of the most challenging procedures in plastic surgery. The authors introduce a novel concept of translating three-dimensional photographic images into three-dimensionally-printed, patient-specific, life-size models that can be used in preoperative counseling or as an intraoperative reference during rhinoplasty. This article describes the authors' experience with this new application for three-dimensional printing, a technology that is overall garnering more widespread use and has prospective clinical and research applications in aesthetic surgery.