Introduction
Three-Dimensional printed models are an emerging educational tool for preoperative patient education. Studies have shown reduced operative anxiety, improved short-term outcomes, and treatment satisfaction. Living donor transplantation (LDT) represents an anatomically complex procedure where 3D printing technology could be utilized to facilitate personalized patient education. In this study, we assess how 3D models can impact quality of patient understanding in kidney or liver LDT.
Methods
A prospective pilot study was conducted on donors and recipients undergoing preoperative evaluation for scheduled liver and kidney LDTs. Anonymized abdominal computed tomography (CT) scans were used to create patient-specific organ models in Materialize Mimics, which were 3D-printed on a Prusa i3 MK3S+ printer. Transplant surgeons then used personalized models (under $2 USD each) to explain upcoming surgeries in the context of the patient’s own anatomy. A survey evaluated changes in preoperative anxiety and procedure-specific knowledge before and after model presentation.
Results
Seven models (six kidneys, one liver) were developed. Of these, 57.1% of patients reported improved understanding of surgical procedures and risks, and 85.7% recommended similar use of 3D models for other patients (Fig 1B, C). On average, post-survey responses relating to confidence in explaining the procedure to someone else increased by 28.57% compared to pre survey responses (Fig 1B). Self-perception of knowledge of liver/kidney anatomy and the transplant procedure increased by 14.29% in the post-survey (Fig 1B). Patients reported an overall positive response to the incorporation of 3D models in current and future care (Fig 1C).
Conclusion
Incorporation of 3D-printed models as educational tools in LDT may represent a powerful and affordable tool for clinician use to enhance patient knowledge and procedural insight, thereby empowering patients in their medical decisions.