Use of individualized 3D-printed models of pancreatic cancer to improve surgeons’ anatomic understanding and surgical planning

Three-dimensional (3D) printing has been increasingly used to create accurate patient-specific 3D-printed models from medical imaging data. We aimed to evaluate the utility of 3D-printed models in the localization and understanding of pancreatic cancer for surgeons before pancreatic surgery. Between March and September 2021, we prospectively enrolled 10 patients with suspected pancreatic cancer who were scheduled for surgery. We created an individualized 3D-printed model from preoperative CT images. Six surgeons (three staff and three residents) evaluated the CT images before and after the presentation of the 3D-printed model using a 7-item questionnaire (understanding of anatomy and pancreatic cancer [Q1–4], preoperative planning [Q5], and education for trainees or patients [Q6–7]) on a 5-point scale. Survey scores on Q1–5 before and after the presentation of the 3D-printed model were compared. Q6–7 assessed the 3D-printed model’s effects on education compared to CT. Subgroup analysis was performed between staff and residents. After the 3D-printed model presentation, survey scores improved in all five questions (before 3.90 vs. after 4.56, p < 0.001), with a mean improvement of 0.57‒0.93. Staff and resident scores improved after a 3D-printed model presentation (p < 0.05), except for Q4 in the resident group. The mean difference was higher among the staff than among the residents (staff: 0.50‒0.97 vs. residents: 0.27‒0.90). The scores of the 3D-printed model for education were high (trainees: 4.47 vs. patients: 4.60) compared to CT. The 3D-printed model of pancreatic cancer improved surgeons’ understanding of individual patients’ pancreatic cancer and surgical planning. The 3D-printed model of pancreatic cancer can be created using a preoperative CT image, which not only assists surgeons in surgical planning but also serves as a valuable educational resource for patients and students. • A personalized 3D-printed pancreatic cancer model provides more intuitive information than CT, allowing surgeons to better visualize the tumor’s location and relationship to neighboring organs. • In particular, the survey score was higher among staff who performed the surgery than among residents. • Individual patient pancreatic cancer models have the potential to be used for personalized patient education as well as resident education.