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DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1191522
3D-printing of models for surgical planning in cardiovascular surgery
Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of 3D-printing of models for surgical planning and intraoperative orientation during pediatric and adult cardiac surgery in patients with complex anatomy.
Methods: We studied pediatric and adult patients with complex anatomy (e.g. patients with single ventricle who had undergone numerous operations and being listed for heart transplantation, patients with left abnormal subclavian artery and right descending aorta, patients for aortic valve replacement (AVR) with previous coronary artery bypass grafting and internal mammary artery (IMA) graft, patients for coil embolisation of anastomotic leak after aortic arch replacement with a custom-made device). All patients were examined by 128-slice computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging angiography (MRI). The image data were visualized and reconstructed. Afterwards, a replica of the complex cardiac pathology was fabricated using a rapid prototyping machine.
Results: Using data derived from 128-slice CT and/or MRI linked to proprietary software, we were able to create three-dimensional reconstructions of the current anatomic pathology. In addition, we fabricated replicas of the complex anatomic manifestations after multiple palliative operations, using a rapid prototyping machine. The surgeons and interventionists found the models to be very helpful in visualizing the special anatomy of the patients and for surgical planning in this high risk heart transplant subset.
Conclusion: 3D-printing replicas are helpful for choosing treatment strategies and for surgical planning in pediatric and adult patients with complex anatomy. The models are also helpful for intraoperative orientation and for demonstrations of life-like replicas to the patients.