Feasibility and potential of three-dimensional printing in laryngotracheal stenosis

Abstract

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.

Three dimensional printed models of the airway for preoperative planning of open Laryngotracheal surgery in children: Surgeon's perception of utility

“…Balakrishan et al [ 29 ] reported the impact of 3D printing on surgical planning in a case series of five children who underwent open airway surgery. Richard et al [ 3 ] described the usefulness of preoperatively practicing resection and anastomosis of 3D models of two children with tracheal stenosis.…”

“…Three-dimensional (3D) printing is being employed in a variety of surgical specialties to improve patient care and is becoming standard of care in some [1]. These models enable preoperative in vitro planning [2,3], production of tailor-made grafts and stents [4,5], advanced training of surgical residents and improved patient education [6]. In otolaryngology, recent studies reported the use of 3D models of the larynx and trachea for laryngotracheal reconstruction (LTR) rehearsal [7], for training in endoscopic balloon dilations of subglottic stenosis [8], for creating tissue-engineered airway grafts [9,10], and for other procedures [11][12][13][14][15].…”

Use of three-dimensional printing to guide fibreoptic intubation in a patient with a difficult airway caused by massive adenoid cystic carcinoma of the maxillary bone: A case report

“…In recent years, 3D imaging and printing technology, known as rapid prototyping, has become a new clinical application, which is widely used in preoperation evaluation or for surgical teaching, 2–4 but its application for difficult airways is sparse. From this case, we realised that tracheal intubation simulation training with 3D printing for the management of a predictable difficult airway may assist us in saving intubation time and improving the overall success rate.…”

Diagnostic accuracy of intra-operative assessment of de-epithelisation of the malleus, mortality and epistaxis, the left-sidedness of Zenker's diverticulae, and laryngeal stenosis and three-dimensional printing

“…The use of three-dimensional (3D) printing as a tool for virtual surgical 3D simulation and planning has been shown to increase efficiency and accuracy in various clinical scenarios. Richard et al 7 have demonstrated the feasibility of using 3D printing in paediatric laryngotracheal stenosis and described its potential. An earlier study, 8 from Italy, had examined the use of 3D printing in upper airway stenosis in seven patients and found it useful.…”

“…Richard et al . 7 have demonstrated the feasibility of using 3D printing in paediatric laryngotracheal stenosis and described its potential. An earlier study, 8 from Italy, had examined the use of 3D printing in upper airway stenosis in seven patients and found it useful.…”