Role of the three-dimensional printing technology in complex laparoscopic renal surgery: a renal tumor in a horseshoe kidney

Abstract

Purpose: To report our initial experience using a patient-specifi c 3D-printed renal tumor model for the surgical planning of a complex heminephrectomy in a horseshoe kidney. Materials and Methods: We selected a clinical case for a complex laparoscopic surgery consisting in a 53 year-old male presenting a local recurrence of a renal tumor in a horseshoe kidney with aberrant vascularisation previously treated with a laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. He is now proposed for a laparoscopic left heminephrectomy. Along with conventional imaging, a real-size 3D-printed renal model was used to plan de surgical approach. The perioperative experience of the surgical team was recorded. Results: The surgical team found the patient-specifi c 3D printed model useful for a better understanding of the anatomy and an easier surgical planning. Conclusion: The use of patient-specifi c 3D-printed renal models seem to be helpful for the surgical planning in complex renal tumors.

Application of three-dimensional reconstruction technology in congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract: a case description

“…In one study on 3D printing, patients who viewed their personal 3D kidney model demonstrated a 16.7% improvement in their understanding of basic kidney physiology (P=0.018), a 50% improvement in understanding kidney anatomy (P=0.026), a 39.3% improvement in understanding tumor characteristics (P=0.068), and a 44.6% improvement in understanding the planned surgical procedure (P=0.026) (7). 3D printing in the case of a patient with a horseshoe kidney tumor before surgery showed abnormal blood vessels, and the tumor was successfully removed (8). Based on CT and MRI data, 3D reconstruction and printing technology can be applied in surgical planning, patient education, and rare or complex cases, and has the potential to be even more broadly used in the urology field (9).…”

Assessment of the complexity of renal tumors by nephrometry (R.E.N.A.L. score) with CT and MRI images versus 3D reconstruction model images

“…Mercader et al reported an experience using a patient-specific 3D-printed renal tumor model for surgical planning of a complex heminephrectomy in a horseshoe kidney and found that it was useful for easier surgical planning (13).…”

Three-dimensional Reconstruction of Renal Vascular Tumor Anatomy to Facilitate Accurate Preoperative Planning of Partial Nephrectomy

“…Both approaches require relatively long amounts of time for post processing; however, this is especially true for the 3D printing process, as it can take up to 30 h to print a 3D kidney model, and even as much a few days for the entire 3D printing process to be completed [ 37 , 38 ]. Besides, 3D-printed models require extra equipment and extra costs to print the models [ 39 ]. That said, 3D-printed models showing the anatomies of the kidney and tumor can make it easier for surgeons to understand the oncologic conditions of patients, decreasing the need for surgical experience [ 40 ].…”