Comparative study of biomodels manufactured using 3D printing techniques for surgical planning and medical training

ABSTRACT

Objectives

To obtain 3D printed bone models with a haptic sensation similar to that of the real bone, which will help the surgeon to learn and improve based on practice.

Methods

From computed tomography, 3 digital anatomical models of the human proximal femur were created and, by modifying the printing parameters, both cortical and trabecular tissues were simulated, which were combined in a different cortico-cancellous interface depending on the bone segment. The 3 equivalent models obtained were compared with a commercial Sawbone synthetic model and subjected to a series of blind surgical practice trials performed by 5 TOC specialists from a hospital, each of them with different degrees of expertise. A statistical analysis of the qualitative data collected based on the Wilcoxon test, the Spearman correlation matrix, and the Validity Ratio Coefficient was performed.

Results

The deviations observed in the dimensional study are less than 0.2 millimeter, which confirms the validity of the 3DP-FFF technology to geometrically recreate personalized biomodels with high anatomical precision.

Conclusions

The reproductions obtained have given rise to a reliable method that professionals can refine to plan operations with the consequent reduction of time and risks for the patient, as well as for medical training.

KEYWORDS:

• Medical training
• surgical planning
• 3D printing
• equivalent bone tissue; haptic feel

List of abbreviations/Nomenclature

3DP	=	3D Printing
ABS	=	Acrilonitrilo butadieno estireno
ASA	=	Acrilonitrilo estireno acrilato
BM	=	Biomodel
CAD	=	Computer-aided design
OST	=	Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology
VRC	=	Validity Ratio Coefficient
DICOM	=	Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine
MDS	=	Medical Department Specialist
FFF	=	Fused filament fabrication
PC	=	Polycarbonate
PLA	=	Polylactic acid
PVA	=	Polyvinyl acetate
MR	=	Medical Resident
STL	=	Standard Triangle Language
CT	=	Computed Tomography

Author contributions

MV Requena-Pérez: Conceptualization, research, writing – original draft preparation. P Andrés-Cano: Conceptualization, Methodology, research, resources. L Galán-Romero: visualization, writing – review and editing. M Suffo: Validation, data curation, writing – review and editing. All authors agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank the infrastructure and equipment supplied Foundation to management biomedical research of Cádiz (Spain), INiBICA.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.