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From CT scanning to 3-D printing technology for the preoperative planning in laparoscopic splenectomy

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Abstract

Background

Three-dimensional printing technology is rapidly changing the way we produce all sort of objects, having also included medical applications. We embarked in a pilot study to assess the value of patient-specific 3-D physical manufacturing of spleno-pancreatic anatomy in helping during patient’s counseling and for preoperative planning.

Methods

Twelve patients scheduled for a laparoscopic splenectomy underwent contrast CT and subsequent post-processing to create virtual 3-D models of the target anatomy, and 3-D printing of the relative solid objects. The printing process, its cost and encountered problems were monitored and recorded. Patients were asked to rate the value of 3-D objects on a 1–5 scale in facilitating their understanding of the proposed procedure. Also 10 surgical residents were required to evaluate the perceived extra value of 3-D printing in the preoperative planning process.

Results

The post-processing analysis required an average of 2; 20 h was needed to physically print each model and 4 additional hours to finalize each object. The cost for the material employed for each object was around 300 euros. Ten patients gave a score of 5, two a score of 4. Six residents gave a score of 5, four a score of 4.

Conclusions

Three-dimensional printing is helpful in understanding complex anatomy for educational purposes at all levels. Cost and working time to produce good quality objects are still considerable.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Miss Nicole Shockcor for reviewing the manuscript.

Disclosures

Prof. Andrea Pietrabissa, Dr. Eng. Stefania Marconi, Dr. Andrea Peri, Dr. Luigi Pugliese, Dr. Emma Cavazzi, Dr. Alessio Vinci, Mrs. Marta Botti and Prof. Ferdinando Auricchio have no conflict of interest or financial ties to disclose.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Scienze Clinico-Chirurgiche, Diagnostiche e Pediatriche, Università degli Studi di Pavia and Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy

    Andrea Pietrabissa, Andrea Peri, Luigi Pugliese, Emma Cavazzi, Alessio Vinci & Marta Botti

  2. Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile ed Architettura, Università degli Studi di Pavia, Pavia, Italy

    Stefania Marconi & Ferdinando Auricchio

  3. Chirurgia Generale Seconda, Dipartimento di Chirurgia, Università degli Studi di Pavia, Piazzale Golgi, 9, 27100, Pavia, Italy

    Andrea Pietrabissa

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  1. Andrea Pietrabissa
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  2. Stefania Marconi
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  3. Andrea Peri
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  4. Luigi Pugliese
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  5. Emma Cavazzi
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  6. Alessio Vinci
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  7. Marta Botti
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  8. Ferdinando Auricchio
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Andrea Pietrabissa.

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Pietrabissa, A., Marconi, S., Peri, A. et al. From CT scanning to 3-D printing technology for the preoperative planning in laparoscopic splenectomy. Surg Endosc 30, 366–371 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-015-4185-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-015-4185-y

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