Three-dimensional printing in the preoperative planning of thoracoscopic pulmonary segmentectomy

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study is to explore whether 3D printing has a better clinical value for making a preoperative plan than three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) in thoracoscopic pulmonary segmentectomy.

Methods: We collected a total of 124 patients' clinical data who underwent thoracoscopic pulmonary segmentectomy from October 2017 to August 2018. According to the preoperative examination, the patients were divided into three groups: general group, 3D-CT group, and 3D printing group. The clinical data of each group were analyzed and compared.

Results: Compared with the general group, intraoperative blood loss in 3D-CT group and 3D printing group decreased significantly (P<0.05). Operation time in 3D-CT group and 3D printing group was significantly shorter than in the general group (P<0.05). Between 3D-CT group and 3D printing group intraoperative blood loss and operation time had no significant differences (P>0.05). Postoperative chest tube duration and postoperative hospital stay had no significant differences between each group P>0.05). The incidence of postoperative hemoptysis in the general group occurred higher than in the 3D-CT group and 3D printing group, but the differences were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Postoperative complications of pneumonia, atelectasis, and pulmonary air leakage (>6 d) had no significant differences between each group (P>0.05).

Conclusions: 3D printing and 3D-CT for making a preoperative plan have an equivalent effect in thoracoscopic pulmonary segmentectomy for experienced surgeons. Preoperative simulations using 3D printing for the assessment of pulmonary vessel and bronchi branching patterns is beneficial for the safe and efficient performance of thoracoscopic pulmonary segmentectomy.

Keywords: Three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT); pulmonary segmentectomy; three-dimensional printing (3D printing).

Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

2019 Translational Lung Cancer Research. All rights reserved.

Figures

Figure 1

Photos from thoracoscopic LS6 segmentectomy. (A) Reconstructing 3D-CT image for LS6 segmentectomy; (B) pulmonary artery of LS6; (C) bronchus of LS6; (D) pulmonary vein of LS6.

Figure 2

Photos from thoracoscopic RS9 segmentectomy. (A) 3D printed model of vessels and bronchi of the right lobe; (B) 3D printed model of arteries, veins, and bronchi of the right low lobe; (C) pulmonary arteries of RS9; (D) pulmonary arteries of RS9; (E) pulmonary vein of RS9; (F) bronchus of RS9. RPA, right pulmonary artery; RPB, right pulmonary bronchus; RPV, right pulmonary vein.