Airway stent insertion simulated with a three-dimensional printed airway model

Area of Science:

• * Medical engineering and thoracic surgery.
• * Application of advanced 3D printing technology in personalized medicine.

Background:

• * Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading indication for lung transplantation.
• * Bronchial anastomosis complications, such as ischemic changes and stenosis, can occur post-transplantation.
• * Management of airway stenosis often requires complex interventions.

Observation:

• * A 30-year-old male patient developed intermediate bronchus stenosis after right single-lung transplantation.
• * A modified Y-shaped airway stent was designed and fabricated for the patient's specific anatomy.
• * A patient-specific 3D printed bronchial model was created for pre-surgical simulation.

Findings:

• * The Y-shaped airway stent was successfully inserted using rigid bronchoscopy.
• * Preoperative surgical simulation using the 3D printed model facilitated an easier, quicker, and successful procedure.
• * The patient experienced clinical improvement following the stent implantation.

Implications:

• * 3D printed patient-specific models can significantly enhance surgical planning and execution in complex airway reconstructions.
• * Personalized airway stent design and implantation offer a viable solution for post-transplant bronchial stenosis.
• * This approach demonstrates the potential of integrating additive manufacturing into thoracic surgical practice for improved patient outcomes.