The role of rapid prototyping for surgical planning in a case of caval thrombosis from kidney carcinoma

Abstract

Aim: To define the impact of rapid prototyping for surgical planning in the surgeon’s decision-making process when dealing with a very complex clinical scenario. Method & framework: A straightforward questionnaire involving four simple questions regarding specific technical aspects was administered to the surgeons to evaluate their basic judgments on the surgical strategy to follow. Images from a standard CT scan were used for the subsequent processing and 3D printing of a very cheap anatomical model of a surgical scenario with a low-cost printer, which was shared with the surgeons. At last, the same questionnaire was re-administered to the surgeons. The degree of judgment was found to be modified by approximately 25%. Conclusion: From a surgical point of view, the interaction with technical experts seems to add precious information to the clinical pre-surgical scenario for decision making. Nevertheless, 3D printing was judged too slow for routine adoption.