3D printing technology has a promising prospect of medical use and clinical value, and may play an important role in the field of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery, such as preoperative diagnosis, surgical planning, surgical approach alternatives and organ replacement. This review focuses on the development of 3D printing technology in recent years and its use and prospect in the field of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery including surgical teaching and simulation, personalized prosthesis implantation, and artificial organ transplantation.
Objective To compare the effect of three-dimensional visual (3DV) model, three-dimensional printing (3DP) model and computer-aided design (CAD) modified 3DP model in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) sublobular resection. MethodsThe clinical data of patients who underwent VATS sublobular resection in the Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University from November 2021 to August 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into 3 groups including a 3DV group, a 3DP group and a CAD-3DP group according to the tools used. The perioperative indexes and subjective evaluation of operators, patients and their families were compared. ResultsA total of 22 patients were included. There were 5 males and 17 females aged 32-77 (56.95±12.50) years. There were 9 patients in the 3DV group, 6 patients in the 3DP group, and 7 patients in the CAD-3DP group. There was no statistical difference in the operation time, intraoperative blood loss, drainage volume, hospital stay time or postoperative complications among the groups (P>0.05). Based on the subjective evaluations of 4 surgeons, the CAD-3DP group was better than the 3DV group in the preoperative planning efficiency (P=0.025), intuitiveness (P=0.045) and doctor-patient communication difficulty (P=0.034); the CAD-3DP group was also better than the 3DP group in the overall satisfaction (P=0.023), preoperative planning difficulty (P=0.046) and efficiency (P=0.014). Based on the subjective evaluations of patients and their families, the CAD-3DP group was better than the 3DP group in helping understand the vessel around the tumor (P=0.016), surgical procedure (P=0.020), procedure selection (P=0.029), and overall satisfaction (P=0.048); the CAD-3DP group was better than the 3DV group in helping understand the tumor size (P=0.038). ConclusionCAD-modified 3DP model has certain advantages in pre-planning, intraoperative navigation and doctor-patient communication in the VATS sublobectomy.
Shear thinning is an ideal feature of bioink because it can reduce the chance of blocking. For extrusion based biological printing, bioink will experience shear force when passing through the biological printer. The shear rate will increase with the increase of extrusion rate, and the apparent viscosity of shear-thinning bioink will decrease, which makes it easier to block, thus achieving the structural fidelity of 3D printing tissue. The manufacturing of complex functional structures in tissue trachea requires the precise placement and coagulation of bioink layer by layer, and the shear-thinning bioink may well meet this requirement. This review focuses on the importance of mechanical properties, classification and preparation methods of shear-thinning bioink, and lists its current application status in 3D printing tissue trachea to discuss the more possibilities and prospects of this biological material in tissue trachea.
Objective To explore the early clinical effect of 3D printing external fixed guide combined with video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) in the treatment of flail chest, and to provide evidence for the promotion of this technology. Methods Patients with flail chest treated in our hospital from January 2010 to January 2023 were retrospectively selected as the study objects. The trial group was treated with 3D printed external fixation guide combined with VATS, and the control group was treated with open reduction internal fixation. Operation time, intraoperative blood loss, closed thoracic drainage time, thoracic volume recovery, visual analogue scale (VAS) score 1 month after surgery and complications were compared between the two groups. Results A total of 40 patients were included, 20 in each group. In the experimental group, there were 13 males and 7 females, with an average age of 45.7±3.8 years. In the control group, there were 14 males and 6 females, with an average age of 47.3±4.1 years. There was no statistical difference in gender, age, number of rib fractures or VAS between the two groups (P>0.05). The surgery was successful in both groups, the wounds healed in stage Ⅰ, and the pain symptoms were significantly reduced. No postoperative complications occurred in the trial group, while chronic pain occurred in 1 patient, fracture malunion occurred in 1 patient and incision infection occurred in 1 patient in the control group, with a complication rate of 15.0%. Operation time, intraoperative blood loss and closed thoracic drainage time in trial group were lower than those in control group (P<0.05). There was no statistical difference in the recovery of thoracic volume and VAS at 1 month after operation (P>0.05). Conclusion 3D printing external fixation guide combined with VATS in the treatment of flail chest has satisfactory early curative effect, which has the advantages of minimally invasive, high efficiency, rapid recovery and reducing postoperative complications. This method can effectively reconstruct the shape of the chest, restore the volume of the chest.
ObjectiveTo explore the clinical applications of 3D-CT reconstruction combined with 3D printing in the analysis of anatomical types and variations of bilateral pulmonary arteries. MethodsFrom January 2019 to February 2022, the clinical data of 547 patients who underwent anatomical lung lesion resection in our hospital were retrospectively collected. They were divided into a 3D-CT reconstruction plus printing technology group (n=298, 87 males and 211 females aged 53.84±12.94 years), a 3D-CT reconstruction group (n=148, 55 males and 93 females aged 54.21±11.39 years), and a non-3D group (n=101, 28 males and 73 females aged 53.17±10.60 years). ResultsIn the 3D-CT reconstruction plus printing technology group, the operation time of patients (right: 125.61±20.99 min, left: 119.26±28.44 min) was shorter than that in the 3D-CT reconstruction group (right: 130.48±11.28 min, left: 125.51±10.59 min) and non-3D group (right: 134.45±10.20 min, left: 130.44±9.53 min), which was not associated with the site of surgery; intraoperative blood loss (right: 20.92±8.22 mL, left: 16.85±10.43 mL) was not statistically different compared with the 3D-CT reconstruction group (right: 21.13±8.97 mL, left: 19.09±7.01 mL), but was less than that of the non-3D group (right: 24.44±10.72 mL, left: 23.72±11.45 mL). Variation was found in the right pulmonary artery of 7 (3.91%) patients and in the left pulmonary artery of 21 (17.65%) patients. We first found four-branched lingual pulmonary artery in 2 patients.ConclusionPreoperative CT image computer-assisted 3D reconstruction combined with 3D printing technology can help surgeons to formulate accurate surgical plans, shorten operation time and reduce intraoperative blood loss.
ObjectiveTo explore the influence of 3D printing assisting educational intervention on the anxiety and sleep outcomes in the patients with trauma. MethodA total of 40 patients were selected between October 2014 and June 2015. The patients were randomly divided into the intervention group and control group with 20 patients in each. The outcomes from admitted to the 7th day after the surgery were evaluated, including visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI) score, Likert score, and the condition of anxiety, pain, and sleep outcomes. ResultsThe differences in VAS scores, STAI scores, and Likert scores between the two groups were significant (P<0.05). Conclusions3D printing assisting educational intervention is a useful intervention that can improve post-operative outcomes for the patients with trauma.
ObjectiveTo explore the feasibility of lumbar puncture models based on 3D printing technology for training junior orthopaedic surgeons to find the optimal pedicle screw insertion points.MethodsMimics software was used to design 3D models of lumbar spine with the optimal channels and alternative channels. Then, the printed lumbar spine models, plasticine, and cloth were used to build lumbar puncture models. From January 2018 to June 2019, 43 orthopedic trainees performed simulated operations to search for the insertion points of pedicle screws base on the models. The operations were performed once a day for 10 consecutive days, and the differences in operation scores and operation durations of the trainees among the 10 days were compared.ResultsAll the trainees completed the surgical training operations successfully, and there were significant differences in the operation scores (13.05±2.45, 14.02±3.96, 17.58±3.46, 21.02±2.04, 23.40±4.08, 25.14±3.72, 27.26±6.09, 33.37±4.23, 35.00±4.15, 38.49±1.70; F=340.604, P<0.001) and operation durations [(22.51±4.28), (19.93±4.28), (18.05±2.89), (17.05±1.76), (16.98±1.97), (15.47±1.74), (13.51±1.42), (12.60±2.17), (12.44±1.71), (11.91±1.87) minutes; F=102.359, P<0.001] among the 10 days.ConclusionThe 3D models of lumbar puncture are feasible and repeatable, which can contribute to surgical training.
Objective To evaluate the application of three-dimensional printing technique in surgical treatments on complex congenital heart diseases. Methods Two patients were enrolled with complex congenital heart diseases. The computerized tomography data were used to build the 3D architecture of cardiac anomalies. The White-Jet-Process technique was used to print the models with 1∶1 ratio in size. The models were used to make the treatment strategy making, young surgeon training and operation simulation. Results The full color and hollowed-out cardiac models with 1∶1 ration in size were printed successfully. They were transected at the middle point of vertical axis, which was conveniently to explore the intracardiac anomalies. However, for patient 1, the model lost the atrial septal defect. Taking the two models as references, operation group held preoperative consultation, operation simulation, and finally, the operation plans were determined for the two patients. Both the two operation were carried out smoothly. Conclusion Although the limitations of 3D printing still exist in the application for congenital heart diseases, making the preoperative plan and operation simulation via 3D cardiac model could enhance the understanding of following operation and procedure details, which could improve the tacit cooperation among operation group members. Furthermore, operation results also could be improved potentially. Therefore, the cardiac 3D printing should be popularized in clinic in the future.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical value of in vitro fenestration and branch stent repair in the treatment of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm in visceral artery area assisted by 3D printing.MethodsThe clinical data of 7 patients with thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm involving visceral artery at the Department of Vascular Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University from March 2016 to May 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. There were 5 males and 2 females with an average age of 70.2±3.9 years. Among them 4 patients had near-renal abdominal aortic aneurysm, 3 had thoracic aortic aneurysm, 4 had asymptomatic aneurysm, 2 had acute symptomatic aneurysm and 1 had threatened rupture of aneurysm. According to the preoperative CT measurement and 3D printing model, fenestration technique was used with Cook Zenith thoracic aortic stents, and branch stents were sewed on the main stents in vitro, and then the stents were modified by beam diameter technique for intracavitary treatment.ResultsAll the 7 patients completed the operation successfully, and a total of 18 branch arteries were reconstructed. The success rate of surgical instrument release was 100.0%. The average operation time was 267.0±38.5 min, the average intraoperative blood loss was 361.0±87.4 mL and the average hospital stay was 16.0±4.2 d. Immediate intraoperative angiography showed that the aneurysms were isolated, and the visceral arteries were unobstructed. Till May 2019, there was no death, stent displacement, stent occlusion, ruptured aneurysm or loss of visceral artery branches. Conclusion3D printing technology can completely copy the shape of human artery, intuitively present the anatomical structure and position of each branch of the artery, so that the fenestration technique is more accurate and the treatment scheme is more optimized.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical value of three-dimensional (3D) printing model in accurate and minimally invasive treatment of double outlet right ventricle (DORV).MethodsFrom August 2018 to August 2019, 35 patients (22 males and 13 females) with DORV aged from 5 months to 17 years were included in the study. Their mean weight was 21.35±8.48 kg. Ten patients who received operations guided by 3D printing model were allocated to a 3D printing model group, and the other 25 patients who received operations without guidance by 3D printing model were allocated to a non-3D printing model group. Preoperative transthoracic echocardiography and CT angiography were performed to observe the location and diameter of ventricular septal defect (VSD), and to confirm the relationship between VSD and double arteries.ResultsThe McGoon index of patients in the 3D printing model group was 1.91±0.70. There was no statistical difference in the size of VSD (13.20±4.57 mm vs. 13.40±5.04 mm, t=−0.612, P=0.555), diameter of the ascending aorta (17.10±2.92 mm vs. 16.90±3.51 mm, t=0.514, P=0.619) or diameter of pulmonary trunk (12.50±5.23 mm vs. 12.90±4.63 mm, t=−1.246, P=0.244) between CT and 3D printing model measurements. The Pearson correlation coefficients were 0.982, 0.943 and 0.975, respectively. The operation time, endotracheal intubation time, ICU stay time and hospital stay time in the 3D printing model group were all shorter than those in the non-3D printing model group (P<0.05).ConclusionThe relationship between VSD and aorta and pulmonary artery can be observed from a 3D perspective by 3D printing technology, which can guide the preoperative surgical plans, assist physicians to make reasonable and effective decisions, shorten intraoperative exploration time and operation time, and decrease the surgery-related risks.