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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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