BackgroundThe use of three-dimensional printing has been rapidly expanding over the last several decades. Virtual surgical three-dimensional simulation and planning has been shown to increase efficiency and accuracy in various clinical scenarios.ObjectivesTo report the feasibility of three-dimensional printing in paediatric laryngotracheal stenosis and discuss potential applications of three-dimensional printed models in airway surgery.MethodRetrospective case series in a tertiary care aerodigestive centre.ResultsThree-dimensional printing was undertaken in two cases of paediatric laryngotracheal stenosis. One patient with grade 4 subglottic stenosis with posterior glottic involvement underwent an extended partial cricotracheal reconstruction. Another patient with grade 4 tracheal stenosis underwent tracheal resection and end-to-end anastomosis. Models of both tracheas were printed using PolyJet technology from a Stratasys Connex2 printer.ConclusionIt is feasible to demonstrate stenosis in three-dimensional printed models, allowing for patient-specific pre-operative surgical simulation. The models serve as an educational tool for patients’ understanding of the surgery, and for teaching residents and fellows.
Appendicectomy for acute appendicitis is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures. Our unit policy has been to conduct pathological examination of all resected specimens, however this practice has recently been questioned. We therefore sought to analyse the utility of routine histological examination of appendicectomy specimens. A consecutive series of 236 patients who underwent open appendicectomy for clinically suspected appendicitis was reviewed. Examination of the specimens revealed inflammation or necrosis in 175 (74%) of the cases-however unexpected histological findings were seen in 10 (4.2%) specimens. In five of these cases (2.1%), these findings resulted in a change in medical therapy. We conclude that appendicectomy specimens from patients with clinically suspected appendicitis show diversity in their histological characteristics; and that routine histological examination can yield clinically significant information in a significant minority of patients.
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