3D modeling in small animal orthopedic surgery

Veterinary orthopedics is faced with a lack of standardization of its patients. Even if we remain exclusively focused on the dog, there is a major difference in size, for example between a Chihuahua weighing 900 grams and a bull mastiff weighing more than 100kg. Thus, there are currently no anatomical implants available for each bone segment for each patient. The development of individual and rapid solutions is therefore essential. Access to CT scans is now widespread in veterinary medicine, this makes it possible to obtain a 3D modeling of the bone segment to be treated as well as the creation of tailor-made implants dedicated to planned operations. 3D printing of the bone and pre-contouring of standard implants is also possible. 3D printing has demonstrated its reproducibility, reliability and compatibility with sterilization and has now become a daily procedure in advanced veterinary orthopedic units.