Three-Dimensional Physical Model in Urologic Cancer

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) printing, as an evolving technology, enables the creation of patient-specific physical models with high precision; thus, it is widely used in various clinical practices, especially urologic cancer. There is an increasing need to clarify the contribution of 3D printing in the practice of urological cancer in order to identify various applications and improve understanding its benefits and challenges in clinical practice. Researches have focused on the use of 3D-printed models in patient and trainee education, surgical simulation, as well as surgical planning and guidance. This mini review will present the most recently published studies on the topic, including the applications of 3D-printed models, feasibility of performed procedures, possible simulated organs, application outcomes, and challenges involved in urologic cancer, to provide potential directions for future research.

Different Techniques of Creating Bone Digital 3D Models from Natural Specimens

“…3D printed models, especially bones, can also make the necessity of natural human bones obsolete, encouraging virtual and remote education, helping to plan surgical interventions, and stimulating the implementation of cutting-edge technologies [15]. In addition to this, traditional anatomy teaching that incorporates 3D models is more involving and modern than the use of only computed tomography (CT) and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data, which can improve an understanding of the specific clinical manipulations and improve patient outcomes [16]. In the future, novel anatomical models can offer many possibilities for sectional anatomy, due to their nature as a multilayered and functional dissectible unit, as well as the ability to publish/share them for free access for educators, scientists, and students [17].…”

Full-sized realistic 3D printed models of liver and tumour anatomy: a useful tool for the clinical medicine education of beginning trainees

“…Additionally, the growing need for tactile and haptic learning in medical education is leading to the increased use of 3D printing in SBME [ 14 , 15 ]. 3DP models can have both realistic anatomy and textures derived from patients’ individual CT and/or MRI images, thus facilitating the creation of patient-specific physical models with high precision; these models seem to be capable of satisfying the needs for tactile and spatial perception of human anatomical structures [ 16 , 17 ]. The models can help trainees understand organ physiology, anatomy, tumour characteristics, and surgical procedures more accurately [ 18 ].…”