Introducing 3-Dimensional Printing of a Human Anatomic Pathology Specimen: Potential Benefits for Undergraduate and Postgraduate Education and Anatomic Pathology Practice

Abstract

Context.-Three-dimensional (3D) printing, a rapidly advancing technology, is widely applied in fields such as mechanical engineering and architecture. Three-dimensional printing has been introduced recently into medical practice in areas such as reconstructive surgery, as well as in clinical research. Three-dimensionally printed models of anatomic and autopsy pathology specimens can be used for demonstrating pathology entities to undergraduate medical, dental, and biomedical students, as well as for postgraduate training in examination of gross specimens for anatomic pathology residents and pathology assistants, aiding clinicopathological correlation at multidisciplinary team meetings, and guiding reconstructive surgical procedures.Objective.-To apply 3D printing in anatomic pathology for teaching, training, and clinical correlation purposes.Design.-Multicolored 3D printing of human anatomic pathology specimens was achieved using a ZCorp 510 3D printer (3D Systems, Rock Hill, South Carolina) following creation of a 3D model using Autodesk 123D Catch software (Autodesk, Inc, San Francisco, California).Results.-Three-dimensionally printed models of anatomic pathology specimens created included pancreatoduodenectomy (Whipple operation) and radical nephrectomy specimens. The models accurately depicted the topographic anatomy of selected specimens and illustrated the anatomic relation of excised lesions to adjacent normal tissues.Conclusions.-Three-dimensional printing of human anatomic pathology specimens is achievable. Advances in 3D printing technology may further improve the quality of 3D printable anatomic pathology specimens.

The role of three-dimensional printed models of skull in anatomy education: a randomized controlled trail

“…Due to its precise reconstruction of intricate anatomical structures, there is an increasing use of 3D printing in medicine, ranging from basic anatomy to surgical practice and advanced research application. Educational models including bone 5 , skull 6 , lateral ventricles 7 , kidney 8 , liver 9 , duodenum 10 , heart 11 , and cerebral aneurysm 12 , have been constructed using 3D printing technology. High-quality models with efficiency equal to or better than cadavers, are promising tools in resolving challenges associated with ethics and hygiene associated with dissection.…”

Técnicas de ensino e atividades em sala de aula para disciplina de patologia na graduação: revisão de literatura / Teaching techniques and classroom activities for the pathology course on undergraduate programs: a literature review

“…As vantagens deste método abrangem a grande reprodutividade, de forma que várias cópias do mesmo caso podem ser realizadas e disponibilizadas para estudo, bem como a possibilidade de faculdades sem estrutura e arsenal de peças de macroscopia adquirirem as cópias. (31) Outro ponto há muito tempo abordado é o uso de discussões de casos (32) e trabalhos em pequenos grupos (33) , dentre eles a técnica de aprendizagem baseada em problemas (PBL) (2,(34)(35) . Trata-se da elaboração de casos clínicos, com participação da anatomia patológica, que os alunos irão estudar e levantar questões de aprendizagem, com base em seus conhecimentos prévios.…”

What would you like to print? Students' opinions on the use of 3D printing technology in medicine

“…Thanks to 3D modeling, it is possible to preserve anatomical specimens of special educational values in the form of digital files and prevalence them among students. "Specimens" can also be created based on CT and MRI studies of living patients, which further extends the scope of their use as three-dimensional prints [37,38].…”