The role of 3D printed models in the teaching of human anatomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background Three-dimensional (3D) printing is an emerging technology widely used in medical education. However, its role in the teaching of human anatomy needs further evaluation. Methods PubMed, Embase, EBSCO, SpringerLink, and Nature databases were searched systematically for studies published from January 2011 to April 2020 in the English language. GRADEprofiler software was used to evaluate the quality of literature. In this study, a meta-analysis of continuous and binary data was conducted. Both descriptive and statistical analyses were used. Results Comparing the post-training tests in neuroanatomy, cardiac anatomy, and abdominal anatomy, the standardized mean difference (SMD) of the 3D group and the conventional group were 1.27, 0.37, and 2.01, respectively (p < 0.05). For 3D vs. cadaver and 3D vs. 2D, the SMD were 0.69 and 1.05, respectively (p < 0.05). For answering time, the SMD of the 3D group vs. conventional group was – 0.61 (P < 0.05). For 3D print usefulness, RR = 2.29(P < 0.05). Five of the six studies showed that satisfaction of the 3D group was higher than that of the conventional group. Two studies showed that accuracy of answering questions in the 3D group was higher than that in the conventional group. Conclusions Compared with students in the conventional group, those in the 3D printing group had advantages in accuracy and answering time. In the test of anatomical knowledge, the test results of students in the 3D group were not inferior (higher or equal) to those in the conventional group. The post-training test results of the 3D group were higher than those in the cadaver or 2D group. More students in the 3D printing group were satisfied with their learning compared with the conventional group. The results could be influenced by the quality of the randomized controlled trials. In a framework of ethical rigor, the application of the 3D printing model in human anatomy teaching is expected to grow further.

The usefulness of 3D printed heart models for medical student education in congenital heart disease

“…Recently, the Archiving Working Group of the International Society for Nomenclature of Paediatric and Congenital Heart Disease recommends generating 3D digital images of cadaveric heart specimens for printing [ 18 ]. From a recent medical educational meta-analysis the 3D printing group had better accuracy and shorter answering time when compared with conventional models (including specimens, plastic products, and 2D anatomical pictures) [ 19 ].…”

Uso de prototipagem rápida ou manufatura aditiva para estudos de casos clínicos e planejamento de técnica cirúrgica utilizando modelos 3D

“…Com a viabilização da produção das peças em 3D, por meio da prototipagem rápida, com proporções de alta exatidão em relação aos exemplos reais, esse recurso viabiliza a construção de um banco de dados para que professores e estudantes utilizem esse material nas aulas práticas (Louredo et al, 2019;Awadh et al 2020;Ye et al, 2020). O uso da prototipagem se mostra uma alternativa como solução aos déficits observados como a obtenção de peças cadavéricas e a manutenção desses materiais orgânicos.…”

“…De tal modo, novas metodologias que consigam abranger tanto a educação no ambiente acadêmico com o favorecimento dos métodos ativos de aprendizagem, quanto pela interdisciplinaridade entre os diversos campos de atuação dentro da área são focos do processo ensino-aprendizagem (Guimarães et al 2017;Erolin, 2019;Louredo et al, 2019;Ye et al, 2020;Mendonça et al, 2021). Por conseguinte, este estudo demonstra a viabilidade da prototipagem rápida ou impressão digital 3D no processo ensino-aprendizagem na área de anatomia humana estendendo seu uso entre os campos de estudo dos casos clínicos, planejamento cirúrgico e técnicas cirúrgicas.…”

Orthopedics and 3D technology in Turkey: A preliminary report

“…[1] With the advancement of medical visualization, the use of 3D printing materials has become more common in healthcare, education, and research. [2] The 3D printing technology helps us to achieve two major goals in orthopedics surgery: first, the production of 3D printed anatomical models for planning and surgery simulation and, second, the production of custom-made 3D-printed prostheses. [3] For surgeries involving irregular bones such as pelvis or tibial pilon fractures, preoperative planning is particularly difficult in cases of complex anatomy and severe deformity.…”

“…[6] These plastic bone models can facilitate a better understanding of the pathoanatomy, and surgeons can use them to simulate surgery. [2,3] In recent years, the use of 3D printed models has enabled the normal 3D anatomy of the tibial plafond on the fracture site to be evaluated and also helped to determine intraoperative contours of the plates. [6,7] Currently, custom-made prosthetic implants that exactly match with patient's bone pathology can be produced with 3D printing technologies.…”