Empowering EVAR: Revolutionizing Patient Understanding and Qualification with 3D Printing

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Surgical Innovation
• Patient Engagement

Background:

• Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) treatment requires effective patient education.
• Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is a complex procedure necessitating clear patient understanding.
• Current educational methods may not adequately address patient comprehension of AAA and EVAR.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of patient-specific 3D models in enhancing patient education for EVAR.
• To assess the impact of 3D models on patient comprehension of AAA and the EVAR procedure.
• To explore the correlation between cognitive function and knowledge gain from 3D model-based education.

Main Methods:

• Fifty-five patients undergoing EVAR received education using patient-specific 3D aneurysm models derived from CTA scans.
• Knowledge assessments were administered before and after the 3D model educational intervention.
• Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE); statistical analyses were performed.

Main Results:

• A statistically significant increase in patient knowledge scores was observed post-intervention (p < 0.001), with a mean gain of 2.36 points.
• Patients reported high satisfaction with 3D models, rating their effectiveness in improving understanding at 4.64/5.
• A weak correlation was found between MMSE scores and the extent of knowledge gained.

Conclusions:

• Patient-specific 3D models represent a promising tool for improving patient education in EVAR.
• Enhanced understanding of AAA and EVAR facilitates more informed patient decision-making.
• This innovative approach has the potential to improve patient engagement and outcomes in vascular surgery.