Three-dimensional printing technology for localised thoracoscopic segmental resection for lung cancer
Three-dimensional (3D) CT reconstruction technology has gained increasing attention owing to its potential in locating ground glass nodules in the lung. The 3D printing technology additionally allows visualising the surrounding anatomical structure and variations. However, the clinical utility of these techniques is not known. We aimed to establish a lung tumour and an anatomical lung model using three-dimensional (3D) printing and 3D chest computed tomography (CT) reconstruction and to evaluate the clinical potential of 3D printing technology in uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic segmentectomy.
Eighty-nine patients with ground glass nodules who underwent uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic segmentectomy were divided into the following groups: Group A, lung models for pre-positioning and simulated surgery that were made with 3D chest CT reconstruction and 3D printing; Group B, patients who underwent chest CT scans with image enhancement for 3D reconstruction. The differences in the surgery approach transfer rate, surgical method conversion rate, operative time, intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative complication rate were compared between the groups.
The surgery approach transfer rate was 0% and 10.5% for Groups A and B, respectively, showing a significant difference (p = 0.030). The operative time was 2.07 ± 0.24 hours and 2.55 ± 0.41 hours, respectively, showing a significant difference (p<༜0.001). Intraoperative blood loss volume was 43.25 ± 13.63 and 96.68 ± 32.82 ml, respectively, showing a significant difference (p<༜0.001). The postoperative complication rate was 3.9% and 13.2%, respectively, showing a non-significant difference (P = 0.132). The rate of surgical method conversion to lobectomy in Group A was 0%, which was significantly lower than that of 10.5% in group B (p < 0.030).
3D printing technology helps surgeons to locate the nodules more accurately, as it is based on 2D and 3D imaging findings, thereby improving the accuracy and safety of surgery. This technique is worth for application in clinical practice.
Retrospectively registered.
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Three-dimensional printing technology for localised thoracoscopic segmental resection for lung cancer
On 24 Aug, 2020
On 10 Aug, 2020
On 09 Aug, 2020
On 08 Aug, 2020
On 08 Aug, 2020
Posted 05 May, 2020
Received 09 Jun, 2020
Received 28 May, 2020
On 27 May, 2020
On 08 May, 2020
Invitations sent on 29 Apr, 2020
On 28 Apr, 2020
On 27 Apr, 2020
On 27 Apr, 2020
On 25 Apr, 2020
Posted 05 May, 2020
On 12 Jul, 2020
On 29 Jun, 2020
Received 29 Jun, 2020
Invitations sent on 24 Jun, 2020
On 21 Jun, 2020
On 20 Jun, 2020
On 20 Jun, 2020
Three-dimensional (3D) CT reconstruction technology has gained increasing attention owing to its potential in locating ground glass nodules in the lung. The 3D printing technology additionally allows visualising the surrounding anatomical structure and variations. However, the clinical utility of these techniques is not known. We aimed to establish a lung tumour and an anatomical lung model using three-dimensional (3D) printing and 3D chest computed tomography (CT) reconstruction and to evaluate the clinical potential of 3D printing technology in uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic segmentectomy.
Eighty-nine patients with ground glass nodules who underwent uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic segmentectomy were divided into the following groups: Group A, lung models for pre-positioning and simulated surgery that were made with 3D chest CT reconstruction and 3D printing; Group B, patients who underwent chest CT scans with image enhancement for 3D reconstruction. The differences in the surgery approach transfer rate, surgical method conversion rate, operative time, intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative complication rate were compared between the groups.
The surgery approach transfer rate was 0% and 10.5% for Groups A and B, respectively, showing a significant difference (p = 0.030). The operative time was 2.07 ± 0.24 hours and 2.55 ± 0.41 hours, respectively, showing a significant difference (p<༜0.001). Intraoperative blood loss volume was 43.25 ± 13.63 and 96.68 ± 32.82 ml, respectively, showing a significant difference (p<༜0.001). The postoperative complication rate was 3.9% and 13.2%, respectively, showing a non-significant difference (P = 0.132). The rate of surgical method conversion to lobectomy in Group A was 0%, which was significantly lower than that of 10.5% in group B (p < 0.030).
3D printing technology helps surgeons to locate the nodules more accurately, as it is based on 2D and 3D imaging findings, thereby improving the accuracy and safety of surgery. This technique is worth for application in clinical practice.
Retrospectively registered.
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3