REVIEW

3D Bioprinting Applied to Neurosurgery: a scoping review and systematic review of preclinical evidence

Bioimpressão 3D Aplicada à Neurocirurgia: revisão de escopo e revisão sistemática da evidência pré-clínica

  • Mhaedra Comin Galvan    Mhaedra Comin Galvan
  • Lorena Maria Dering    Lorena Maria Dering
  • André Giacomelli Leal    André Giacomelli Leal
  Views: 17
  Downloads: 1

Resumo

A bioimpressão tridimensional permite a deposição controlada de células, biomateriais e moléculas bioativas e apresenta aplicações potenciais na modelagem e no reparo do sistema nervoso central (SNC). Este estudo mapeou as aplicações da bioimpressão 3D no SNC e sintetizou as evidências pré-clínicas sobre construtos celularizados produzidos por bioimpressão direta. Foi realizada uma revisão em duas etapas, compreendendo uma revisão de escopo conforme o PRISMA-ScR e uma revisão sistemática conforme o PRISMA 2020. As buscas no PubMed, Scopus e Web of Science identificaram 445 registros. Foram incluídos 60 estudos: 25 revisões ou sínteses técnicas, 17 estudos in vitro ou metodológicos e 18 estudos in vivo. Destes, 49 permaneceram exclusivamente na revisão de escopo e 11 preencheram os critérios da revisão sistemática. A lesão medular representou 14 dos 18 estudos in vivo. Entre os 11 estudos incluídos na revisão sistemática, GelMA foi utilizado em sete construtos, e células-tronco neurais foram a população mais frequente. Dos 110 julgamentos de risco de viés pelo SYRCLE, 98 foram classificados como risco incerto, 11 como baixo risco e um como alto risco. A bioimpressão 3D demonstrou potencial regenerativo, mas a heterogeneidade metodológica e o predomínio de julgamentos incertos ainda limitam a translação clínica.

Palavras-chave

Bioimpressão 3D; Sistema nervoso central; Lesão medular; Engenharia de tecidos neurais; Medicina regenerativa; Neurocirurgia

Abstract

Three-dimensional bioprinting enables the controlled deposition of cells, biomaterials, and bioactive molecules and has potential applications in central nervous system (CNS) modeling and repair. This study mapped CNS applications of 3D bioprinting and synthesized preclinical evidence on cell-laden constructs produced by direct bioprinting. A two-stage review was conducted, comprising a scoping review reported in accordance with PRISMA-ScR and a systematic review reported in accordance with PRISMA 2020. Searches of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science identified 445 records. Sixty studies were included: 25 reviews or technical syntheses, 17 in vitro or methodological studies, and 18 in vivo studies. Of these, 49 remained exclusive to the scoping review, and 11 met the systematic review criteria. Spinal cord injury accounted for 14 of the 18 in vivo studies. Among the 11 systematically reviewed studies, GelMA was used in seven constructs, and neural stem cells were the most frequent cell population. Of 110 SYRCLE risk-of-bias judgments, 98 were classified as unclear risk, 11 as low risk, and one as high risk. Three-dimensional bioprinting showed regenerative potential, but methodological heterogeneity and predominantly unclear judgments continue to limit clinical translation.

Keywords

3D bioprinting; Central nervous system; Spinal cord injury; Neural tissue engineering; Regenerative medicine; Neurosurgery

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1Universidade Positivo, Curitiba, PR, Brazil.

2INC 3D, Instituto de Neurologia de Curitiba – INC, Curitiba, PR, Brazil.

3Department of Neurosurgery, Instituto de Neurologia de Curitiba – INC, Curitiba, PR, Brazil.


 

Received Aug 3, 2026 

Accepted Aug 16, 2026

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