Objective        To design a new lower cervical pedicle screw placement based on Mimics software and rapid prototyping technology and evaluate its clinical value.       Methods       CT scanning was performed on 16 adult cadaveric cervical specimens (C

3

to C

7

). The obtained CT data were imported into a workstation running MIMICS software to generate cervical three dimensional (3D) reconstruction images which saved as STL files. Then these STL files were used to produce cervical physical models using rapid prototyping technique. T

he optimal trajectory pedicle was explored and marked on 3D images using computer assistant design module of Mimics

and the related parameters of cervical pedicle were measured using measurement tools of Mimics. So the individualized surgery plan of pedicle screw fixation was determined according to the location of pedicle trajectory and parameters. The trajectory pins were drilled into physical model to supervise the entry point and orientation of pedicle screw. With the visualized guidance of physical model

pedicle screws were inserted in cadaveric specimens in strict accordance with individualized surgery plan determined previously. Pedicle screw fixation was performed in 2 patients with cervical disorders requiring instrumentation using this individualized surgery method as mentioned above.       Results        The cervical 3D image and physical model were found to be anatomically similar with each other and of great assistance in designing individualized surgery plan and supervising placement of pedicle screw. There were 148 pedicle screws inserted in the 16 cervical specimens. Among them

140 were inserted in the pedicle cortical

and the left 8 breached the pedicle cortical mildly. CT scanning indicated that the 10 pedicle screws were satisfyingly inserted in the 2 patients.       Conclusion       Combination of 3D image by Mimics and intuitive guidance of physical model by rapid prototyping technique improve the accuracy and safety of lower cervical stereotaxy.