Design, Development and Multi-Institutional Validation of a Low-Cost 3D-Printed Liver Transplant Simulator

Abstract

Objective: Our team set out to design and develop a low-cost 3D-printed liver transplant simulator. Design: The simulator comprises a 3D-printed recipient body cavity and the filled-fabric liver. Results: Validators perceived the model as valuable to education, noted that they would use the model at their institution and desired to integrate the model into their curriculum. In addition, the simulator was rated highly for ease of use (3.6/4), physical attributes (3.2/4) and user experience (4.4/5). Conclusion: The low-cost 3D-printed simulator for liver transplantation was highly rated in a multi-institutional validation and supports the use of simulation models in transplant surgery.

Nodo-Tie: an innovative, 3-D printed simulator for surgical knot-tying skills development

“…The benefits of 3-D printing include low production costs, widespread availability, and high printing fidelity, making it an attractive option for medical educators [ 10 ]. 3-D printed simulators have also shown utility in replicating clinical environments in order to improve core technical skills in trainees [ 11 , 12 ]. The aim of this study was to validate a 3-D printed, cost-effective knot-tying simulator, henceforth referred to as the Nodo-Tie, for medical students, addressing the need for a more accessible and effective training tool.…”