A Personalized 3D-Printed Model for Preoperative Evaluation in Thyroid Surgery.

Area of Science:

• Surgical Oncology
• Medical Imaging
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Thyroid cancer surgery involves complex anatomy, necessitating careful preoperative evaluation of tumor proximity to critical structures.
• Accurate assessment of the relationship between the tumor and surrounding tissues like the trachea, esophagus, nerves, and blood vessels is crucial for surgical success.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce an innovative method for creating personalized 3D-printed models of the thyroid surgery field using computerized tomography (CT) DICOM images.
• To enhance preoperative surgical planning and strategy formulation for thyroid cancer operations.

Main Methods:

• Development of a 3D-printed model establishment technique utilizing patient-specific CT DICOM data.
• Personalized 3D models were created for each patient undergoing thyroid surgery.

Main Results:

• The 3D-printed models facilitated comprehensive preoperative evaluation of surgical complexities.
• Clear visualization of the recurrent laryngeal nerve and parathyroid glands in the models aided in preventing intraoperative injury.
• The models improved preoperative discussions and informed consent processes.

Conclusions:

• Personalized 3D-printed models are valuable tools for thyroid cancer surgery, improving planning and reducing operative risks.
• These models can decrease the incidence of hypoparathyroidism and recurrent laryngeal nerve injury complications.
• The intuitive nature of 3D models enhances communication between clinicians and patients.