3D printing is a technology which promises to revolutionise medical training, offering medical schools the ability to create their own custom cadavers for students to practise on, potentially saving tens of thousands of pounds in expensive training facilities. Combine the technology with advanced virtual surgical planning tools, however, and future surgeons will have an incredible array of tools to train with.

Virtual surgical planning is an updated version of the tradition physical models surgeons have used for decades to help them plan their surgeons. Thanks to computer modelling, it’s now possible to plan surgeries in extensive detail, allowing surgeons to operate with significantly less risk. They can even print 3D models to see how they will actually look.

Students will have access to the same tools, enabling them to have a similar experience. Being closer to the real world will, hopefully, create better surgeons.