LAUSR

We read with interest the novel article ‘‘3D Printed Surgical Instruments: The Design and Fabrication Process’’ by George et al. [1]. We congratulate the authors on their attempt to highlight the creative aspect of knife happy surgeons, in their endeavour to refine the art of horrid butchery to making present day surgery an art. Instrument also has an important role in the surgical success [2]. The ergonomics and the surgical skills also help in reducing time and increasing efficiency. Composite instruments having more than one effect reduce instrument exchanges while improving the efficiency. We have few queries which may assist future readers. In this study, we would like to know how many surgeons and other support staff participated? Did the support staff include instrumentation engineers and computer designers etc.? How much does it cost to design these 3D printed instruments using the above technique? Is it cost effective when compared to the standard metallic manufacturing process. We would again congratulate the authors for their novel technology and hope these instruments shall be in vogue soon.