Patient-Tailored 3D-Printing Models in the Subspecialty Training of Spinal Tumors: A Comparative Study and...

Training in the subspecialty of spinal tumors is challenging and less researched. The anatomic variations and complex relationship with paraspinal structures tend to be the main obstacle for the trainees in this field. Three-dimensional (3D)-printing technique has the advantage of individual customization and high fidelity, and can produce case-tailored models as auxiliary tools in medical training.

The main parts of the study included case-based lectures with tailored 3D-printing models, evaluating their performances in a controlled examination and anonymous questionnaire survey regarding the trainees' opinion towards the tailored models. The examination was designed as case-based clinical analysis. All trainees were randomly allocated to the study group and control group, and the former group was additively provided a case-tailored model.

Thirty-six participants were recruited in this study, including 16 residents and 20 fellows. In the section of examination, there was significant difference in the aspects of describing the involvement of paraspinal structures and discriminating the relationship between the tumor and large vessels (P < 0.05), but similar in the aspects of surgical planning and relevant complications (P > 0.05). In the survey, most participants gave favorable responses to 3D-printing models in the aspects of understanding anatomic structures and relationship, inter-trainee communication, surgical planning, and enhancement of interest and confidence (50.0% to 94.4%, respectively).

The 3D-printing model is a valuable tool in the training of new residents and fellows in the subspecialty of spinal tumors. It can facilitate the trainees' understanding of tumor anatomy, surgical readiness, and confidence as well.