Three-dimensional (3D) visualization technology can well characterize lung nodules, accurately locate lung nodules, accurately identify lung anatomical structures, shorten operation time, reduce intraoperative and postoperative complications, and make thoracoscopic precise lung resection safer and more efficient. However, the mastery of 3D reconstruction technology in some hospitals still needs to be improved. Due to the time and economic cost of 3D printing, the development of this technology is restricted. With the application and improvement of 3D visualization technology in more centers in the future, the development of precise lung resection will be more extensive. This article reviewed the progress on 3D visualization technology in thoracoscopic precise lung resection.
ObjectiveTo explore the feasibility of three-dimensional (3-D) visualization reconstruction of the medial sural artery perforator flap based on digital technology. MethodsA series of Dicom images were obtained from three healthy adult volunteers by dual source CT angiography. Then the Mimics software was used to construct the medial sural artery model and measure the indexes, including the starting position of medial sural artery, external diameters of vascular pedicle, the number of perforators, location perforated deep fascia, and the maximum pedicle length of perforators based on medial sural artery perforator flap. ResultsThe 3-D visualization reconstruction models were successfully finished with Mimics software, which can clearly display the distribution, travel, and perforating point. Thirteen perforators were found in 6 legs, which started at the popliteal artery with a mean external diameter of 2.3 mm (range, 1.9-2.7 mm). Each specimen had 1-3 perforators, which located at the site of 6.2-15.0 cm distal to popliteal crease and 2.5-4.2 cm from posterior midline. The maximum pedicle length of medial sural artery perforator flap was 10.2-13.8 cm (mean, 11.8 cm). ConclusionThe 3-D visualization reconstruction models based on digital technology can provide dynamic visualization of the anatomy of the medial sural artery for individualized design of the medial sural artery perforator flap.
ObjectivesTo systematically review the clinical efficacy of three-dimensional (3D) visualization vs. two-dimensional (2D) imaging technique in hepatectomy.MethodsPubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, CBM, CNKI, WanFang Data and VIP databases were electronically searched to collect clinical trials which compared 3D visualization with conventional 2D imaging technique for hepatectomy from inception to September 2017. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the risk bias of included studies, and then, meta-analysis was performed by using RevMan 5.3 software.ResultsA total of 11 studies involving 953 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that: compared to 2D imaging technique, 3D visualization technique could improve R0 resection rate (OR=2.91, 95%CI 1.31 to 6.43, P=0.009), had lower incidence of postoperative complication (OR=0.55, 95%CI 0.38 to 0.80, P=0.002), less amount of blood transfusion in operation (MD=–96.05, 95%CI –126.78 to –65.31, P<0.000 01), lower discrepancy range between the volume of the predicted liver resection and actual resection volume (MD=–94.38, 95%CI –185.46 to –3.30,P=0.04), shorter operation time (MD=–33.58, 95%CI –60.09 to –7.08, P=0.01), and lower intraoperative blood loss (MD=–79.70, 95%CI –139.86 to –19.53, P=0.009), the differences were statistically significant. There were no statistical differences between two groups in postoperative hospital stay time (MD=–0.75, 95%CI –2.45 to 0.95, P=0.39).ConclusionsThe current evidence shows that application of 3D visualization technique in hepatectomy can predict the liver resection volume more accurately, improve the R0 resection rate, shorten operation time, decrease intraoperative blood transfusion volume and the amount of bleeding, and reduce the incidence of postoperative complications. Due to limited quality and quantity of the included studies, more high-quality studies are required to verify above conclusion.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of combining three-dimensional printing (3DP) models with three-dimensional visualization (3DV) technology in the teaching of thoracoscopic sublobar resection. Methods From March 2024 to June 2025, 150 interns were randomly assigned by envelope method to the 3DV, 3DP, and combined (3DV+3DP) groups. Three theoretical tests and score changes were used to assess short- and long-term teaching outcomes, and a questionnaire survey was conducted to analyze learning experience. Results After teaching, scores improved significantly in all groups (P<0.001), with the greatest increase in the combined group (47.18±5.81), which was higher than the 3DV and 3DP groups (P<0.001 and P=0.002, respectively). At 1 month, scores declined in all groups (P=0.028), but the combined group showed the smallest decrease (−6.94 ± 6.05). The combined group also showed the most pronounced advantage in spatial cognition (38.0%). Conclusion Innovative 3DP+3DV instructional model improves sublobar lung resection teaching and shows better long-term retention and spatial cognition.