Three-Dimensional Printing of a Complex Aortic Anomaly
November 1st, 2018
Here, we present a protocol to use three dimensional printed models for pre-operative planning and intra-operative reorganization of complicated vascular locations when handling a congenital aortic anomaly.
This method can help answer key questions in the complex aorta anomaly field about the camera DICOM. The main advantage of this technique is that 3D printed model can reduce the risk of unpredictable tissue injury during the complex aortic surgery. For the segmentation of a region of interest import all of the computed tomography and geography images into the software in a DICOM format and double-click to open the patient case within the case library.
Select the DICOM series and click model recon to open the model reconstruction page. Have an engineer and a team of cardiac surgeons review the DICOM formatted raw data to identify key anatomic features and regions of interest. To segment the region, click threshold segmentation, and adjust the threshold range for the vascular mask.
Click confirm to generate the vascular mask within the object list and click recon to reconstruct the 3D vascular mask within the 3D viewer. Click threshold segmentation again and adjust the threshold range for the trachea mask. Click marquee segmentation to limit the region of interest to the mediastinum and the lung and click mask edit to erase the connection between the trachea and the lung.
Click region grow and click any point of the mask in any one of the 2D viewers to select a seed. Confirm that the region grows as a result and that the trachea mask will show in the object list. Then click recon to reconstruct the 3D trachea in the 3D viewer and save the region of interest as a mask.
For 3D reconstruction of the region of interest click export to export the 3D model as a standard triangle language file and position the model on the center of the building platform. Align the tangent of the vessel center line at its extremity so that it is parallel to the Z axis of the platform. Supports will be automatically generated to the overhangs.
Click slice and save and set the appropriate 3D printing parameters on a stereolithographic printer. After printing, scan the contours sliced by the software with 405 nanometer ultraviolet light to harden the photosensitive resin at a three meters per second scan rate. Then, before the surgery, have the surgeons use the 3D printed model to make detailed and accurate surgical plans for the patient from which the 3D model was generated.
Using images from the coronal plane, the transverse plane, and the sagittal plane, the computed tomography and geography image can be reconstructed into a 3D model as demonstrated. In these images, the anatomic relationship between the aorta and the trachea along the Y axis can be observed. After its development, this technology paved the way for researchers in the field of 3D printing to explore vascular anomaly in aortic surgery.
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Overview
This article presents a protocol for utilizing three-dimensional printed models in the pre-operative planning and intra-operative organization of complex vascular locations, specifically in congenital aortic anomalies.
Key Study Components
Area of Science
- Cardiac surgery
- 3D printing technology
- Vascular anomalies
Background
- Congenital aortic anomalies present significant surgical challenges.
- Understanding the anatomy is crucial for successful surgical outcomes.
- 3D printing can enhance visualization of complex structures.
- Current methods may lead to unpredictable tissue injury during surgery.
Purpose of Study
- To improve pre-operative planning for complex aortic surgeries.
- To reduce risks associated with surgical interventions.
- To facilitate better understanding of vascular anatomy through 3D models.
Methods Used
- Importing DICOM formatted images into specialized software.
- Collaboration between engineers and cardiac surgeons for data review.
- Segmentation of regions of interest using threshold adjustments.
- Model reconstruction for enhanced surgical planning.
Main Results
- 3D printed models provide a tangible representation of complex vascular structures.
- Improved identification of key anatomical features during surgery.
- Reduction in the risk of tissue injury through better pre-operative planning.
- Enhanced communication among surgical teams regarding patient-specific anatomy.
Conclusions
- 3D printing is a valuable tool in the management of congenital aortic anomalies.
- This method can significantly improve surgical outcomes.
- Future applications may extend to other complex vascular surgeries.
