Patient Education for Endoscopic Sinus Surgery: Preliminary Experience Using 3D-Printed Clinical Imaging Data

Abstract

Within the Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) medical space, a relatively small fraction of patients follow through with elective surgeries to fix ailments such as a deviated septum or occluded sinus passage. Patient understanding of their diagnosis and treatment plan is integral to compliance, which ultimately yields improved medical outcomes and better quality of life. Here we report the usage of advanced, polyjet 3D printing methods to develop a multimaterial replica of human nasal sinus anatomy, derived from clinical X-ray computed tomography (CT) data, to be used as an educational aid during physician consultation. The final patient education model was developed over several iterations to optimize material properties, anatomical accuracy and overall display. A two-arm, single-center, randomized, prospective study was then performed in which 50 ENT surgical candidates (and an associated control group, n = 50) were given an explanation of their anatomy, disease state, and treatment options using the education model as an aid. Statistically significant improvements in patient ratings of their physician’s explanation of their treatment options (p = 0.020), self-rated anatomical understanding (p = 0.043), self-rated understanding of disease state (p = 0.016), and effectiveness of the visualization (p = 0.007) were noted from the population that viewed the 3D education model, indicating it is an effective tool which ENT surgeons may use to educate and interact with patients.

Novel application of additive manufacturing techniques for paediatric choledochal malformations

“…3D printed models offer significant advantages in terms of cost infrastructure and ethical considerations compared with cadaveric teaching There is RCT evidence that the use of 3D printed models in discussion and obtaining consent leads to greater patient, and family, satisfaction than oral and illustrative discussion alone 3D printed models have been objectively shown to improve surgical trainee pre‐operative planning in RCT data …”

“…They have the potential to revolutionise complex surgical procedures by allowing 3D visualisation of unique anatomical variants or pathology both before and during surgery . In addition, such replicas of real clinical pathology may aid teaching of undergraduate medical students and surgical trainees, as well as, patient education …”

“…1 In addition, such replicas of real clinical pathology may aid teaching of undergraduate medical students and surgical trainees, as well as, patient education. 2 It has been established that the duration and therefore cost, of surgical cases are increased by the participation of surgical trainees, or residents. 3 Longer operative times and low operator experience are linked to increased complications, therefore any means to improve this will save health-care dollars, and also improve patient outcomes.…”

Color Enhancement Strategies for 3D Printing of X-ray Computed Tomography Bone Data for Advanced Anatomy Teaching Models

“…For example, Smith et al evaluated the use of various single-color 3D-printed anatomical models of the respiratory and musculoskeletal system in an undergraduate laboratory [1], while Abou Hashem et al successfully integrated analogous bone models in the classroom [2]. Previously, we reported the creation of models for patient education in a clinical setting [3]. Since then, advancements in 3D printing technologies now allow for the creation of rapid, full-color prototypes.…”

“…Multi-color, physical 3D models have great potential to enhance the anatomical learning experience for students and clinicians alike, with one report using the upper limb in the education of medical students [4]. vasculature [21], and bone with soft tissue in the ear, nose, and throat [3]. Color-coded patient specific heart models were utilized in surgical planning [11], in which the density difference between blood and surrounding cardiac tissue was used by an automatic segmentation algorithm to create a binary map for 3D reconstruction.…”