Three-dimensional (3D) printers are a developing technology penetrating a variety of markets, including the medical sector. Since its introduction to the medical field in the late 1980s, 3D printers have constructed a range of devices, such as dentures, hearing aids, and prosthetics. With the ultimate goals of decreasing healthcare costs and improving patient care and outcomes, neurosurgeons are utilizing this dynamic technology, as well. Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine (DICOM) can be translated into Stereolithography (STL) files, which are then read and methodically built by 3D Printers. Vessels, tumors, and skulls are just a few of the anatomical structures created in a variety of materials, which enable surgeons to conduct research, educate surgeons in training, and improve pre-operative planning without risk to patients. Due to the infancy of the field and a wide range of technologies with varying advantages and disadvantages, there is currently no standard 3D printing process for patient care and medical research. In an effort to enable clinicians to optimize the use of additive manufacturing (AM) technologies, we outline the most suitable 3D printing models and computer-aided design (CAD) software for 3D printing in neurosurgery, their applications, and the limitations that need to be overcome if 3D printers are to become common practice in the neurosurgical field.

三维（3D）打印机是一项不断发展的技术，已渗透到包括医疗领域在内的各种市场。自从1980年代后期引入医疗领域以来，3D打印机已经构造了一系列设备，例如假牙，助听器和假肢。为了降低医疗保健成本并改善患者护理水平和治疗效果，神经外科医生也正在利用这种动态技术。可以将医学数字成像和通信（DICOM）转换为立体光刻（STL）文件，然后由3D打印机读取并有条不紊地构建它们。血管，肿瘤和颅骨只是由多种材料制成的少数解剖结构，使外科医生能够进行研究，教育外科医生进行培训，并改善术前计划，而不会给患者带来风险。由于该领域的起步以及具有各种优点和缺点的广泛技术，当前没有用于患者护理和医学研究的标准3D打印过程。为了使临床医生能够优化增材制造（AM）技术的使用，我们概述了最适合3D打印在神经外科中使用的3D打印模型和计算机辅助设计（CAD）软件，它们的应用以及需要满足的局限性如果3D打印机要成为神经外科领域的普遍做法，则必须克服。