Specialized educational program for high-grade liver injury management: a three-dimensional printed model approach

Area of Science:

• Surgical Education
• Medical Simulation
• Trauma Surgery

Background:

• Managing high-grade liver injuries (Grade IV-V) presents challenges in achieving hemostasis.
• Hepatic packing may be insufficient for severe liver trauma.
• Mesh liver wrapping is an alternative but requires specialized training.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel educational program utilizing a 3D printed model for managing Grade IV and V liver injuries.
• To address the limitations in teaching resources for mastering mesh liver wrapping procedures.

Main Methods:

• A realistic, life-sized injured liver model was created using thermoplastic elastomer (TPU-95) from CT scans.
• Surgical residents underwent systematic instruction and hands-on practice with the 3D model, progressing from supervised to independent performance.

Main Results:

• Eight surgical residents participated, with most successfully completing the mesh liver wrapping procedure under supervision.
• Trainees showed decreased procedure times during independent practice, indicating enhanced proficiency.

Conclusions:

• The 3D printed model provides a simple, repeatable method for continuous training in managing severe liver injuries.
• This educational approach has the potential to improve surgical skills and patient outcomes in trauma care.