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Use of individualized 3D-printed models of pancreatic cancer to improve surgeons’ anatomic understanding and surgical planning

  • Hepatobiliary-Pancreas
  • Published:
European Radiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objectives

Three-dimensional (3D) printing has been increasingly used to create accurate patient-specific 3D-printed models from medical imaging data. We aimed to evaluate the utility of 3D-printed models in the localization and understanding of pancreatic cancer for surgeons before pancreatic surgery.

Methods

Between March and September 2021, we prospectively enrolled 10 patients with suspected pancreatic cancer who were scheduled for surgery. We created an individualized 3D-printed model from preoperative CT images. Six surgeons (three staff and three residents) evaluated the CT images before and after the presentation of the 3D-printed model using a 7-item questionnaire (understanding of anatomy and pancreatic cancer [Q1–4], preoperative planning [Q5], and education for trainees or patients [Q6–7]) on a 5-point scale. Survey scores on Q1–5 before and after the presentation of the 3D-printed model were compared. Q6–7 assessed the 3D-printed model’s effects on education compared to CT. Subgroup analysis was performed between staff and residents.

Results

After the 3D-printed model presentation, survey scores improved in all five questions (before 3.90 vs. after 4.56, p < 0.001), with a mean improvement of 0.57‒0.93. Staff and resident scores improved after a 3D-printed model presentation (p < 0.05), except for Q4 in the resident group. The mean difference was higher among the staff than among the residents (staff: 0.50‒0.97 vs. residents: 0.27‒0.90). The scores of the 3D-printed model for education were high (trainees: 4.47 vs. patients: 4.60) compared to CT.

Conclusion

The 3D-printed model of pancreatic cancer improved surgeons’ understanding of individual patients’ pancreatic cancer and surgical planning.

Clinical relevance statement

The 3D-printed model of pancreatic cancer can be created using a preoperative CT image, which not only assists surgeons in surgical planning but also serves as a valuable educational resource for patients and students.

Key Points

• A personalized 3D-printed pancreatic cancer model provides more intuitive information than CT, allowing surgeons to better visualize the tumor’s location and relationship to neighboring organs.

• In particular, the survey score was higher among staff who performed the surgery than among residents.

• Individual patient pancreatic cancer models have the potential to be used for personalized patient education as well as resident education.

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Abbreviations

2D:

Two-dimensional

3D:

Three-dimensional

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Funding

This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the South Korean government (MSIT) (No. 2020R1F1A107153112 and No. 2022R1F1A107436211).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology and Center for Imaging Science, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 81 Irwon-ro Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06351, Republic of Korea

    Chorog Song, Ji Hye Min, Woo Kyoung Jeong & Seong Hyun Kim

  2. Division of Hepatobiliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea

    Jin Seok Heo, In Woong Han, Sang Hyun Shin & So Jeong Yoon

  3. Department of Radiology, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Bucheon, Republic of Korea

    Seo-Youn Choi

  4. ANYMEDI Inc., Seoul, Republic of Korea

    Seungju Moon

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  1. Chorog Song
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ji Hye Min.

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Guarantor

The scientific guarantor of this publication is Ji Hye Min in the Department of Radiology and Center for Imaging Science, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Conflict of interest

The authors of this manuscript declare no relationships with any companies whose products or services may be related to the subject matter of the article.

Statistics and biometry

One (Seo-Youn Choi, MD, PhD) of the authors has significant statistical expertise.

Informed consent

The study protocol was explained and written informed consent was obtained from each participant.

Ethical approval

Institutional Review Board approval was obtained. (IRB number 2020–01-040).

Study subjects or cohorts overlap

No study subjects or cohorts overlap.

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• Prospective

• Observational study

• Performed at one institution

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Song, C., Min, J.H., Jeong, W.K. et al. Use of individualized 3D-printed models of pancreatic cancer to improve surgeons’ anatomic understanding and surgical planning. Eur Radiol 33, 7646–7655 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-023-09756-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-023-09756-0

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