Development and validation of 3D printed virtual models for robot-assisted radical prostatectomy and partial nephrectomy: urologists’ and patients’ perception

Abstract

In our experience, 3D printing technology has been perceived as a useful tool for the purpose of surgical planning, physician education/training and patient counseling. Further researches are expected to increase the level of evidence.

Three‐dimensional virtual imaging of renal tumours: a new tool to improve the accuracy of nephrometry scores

“…In the present study, we addressed this latter issue by using 3D-modelling technology to determine the anatomical complexity of renal masses. To do this, we produced 3D VMs using dedicated professional software and a team of bioengineers and urologists working together, as previously described [8].…”

“…The three-dimensional reconstruction obtained was then refined by a biomedical engineer under the supervision of an experienced urologist, focusing on the renal vasculature (both arterial and venous), the UCS, kidney shape and tumour features. At the end of the process, a hyperaccuracy 3D (HA3D TM ) model was built [8]. Specifically, the renal pedicle and the tumour-feeding arteries were reconstructed using the dynamic region-growing method [11].…”

“…Despite the extensive amount of literature supporting a direct correlation between nephrometry score and PN outcomes, a complete understanding of the morphological and anatomical characteristics of renal tumours is potentially suboptimal, the evaluation being based on two-dimensional (2D) images. A more complex 'cognitive' process, by which the surgeon envisions a three-dimensional (3D) image by looking at 2D images in the three spatial axes (axial, coronal and sagittal), is therefore needed [8].…”

Three‐dimensional printing in robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy ‐ an Idea, Development, Exploration, Assessment, Long‐term follow‐up (IDEAL) Phase 2a study

“…In this context, improvement in tactile appreciation of the size, number and location of the tumour(s) during RARP may prove useful. Early reports of preoperative threedimensional (3D)-printing technology in urological surgery have focused on proof of concept, face and content validity [4,5]. We report an Idea, Development, Exploration, Assessment, Long-term follow-up (IDEAL) Phase 2a study [6] of the use of patient-specific 3D printing in RARP.In all, 10 patients with localised T3 prostate cancer either clinically or on pre-biopsy multiparametric MRI, subsequently treated with RARP, were included in this prospective pilot study after ethics approval, patient consent, and discussion at the regional multidisciplinary team meeting.Patient-specific geometries were segmented from MRI data.…”

“…In this context, improvement in tactile appreciation of the size, number and location of the tumour(s) during RARP may prove useful. Early reports of preoperative threedimensional (3D)-printing technology in urological surgery have focused on proof of concept, face and content validity [4,5]. We report an Idea, Development, Exploration, Assessment, Long-term follow-up (IDEAL) Phase 2a study [6] of the use of patient-specific 3D printing in RARP.…”