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Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Novel Process for 3D Printing Decellularized Matrices
Published on: January 7, 2019
[Personalized weight improvement of 3D-printed testicular prostheses using polypropylene]
Chuanfeng Liu1, Qian Meng2, Weikang Wang2
1Department of Urology, Linyi Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Shandong Province, China.
Objective:
To develop personalized 3D-printed testicular prostheses using polypropylene (PP) that closely mimic natural testicles in size, shape, and particularly weight.
Methods:
Clinical data from two testicular resection patients were analyzed. Reference testicular density (0.99 g/mL) was derived from three specimens (mean weight: 6.67 g, volume: 6.70 mL). Target prostheses (volume: 16.75 cm³, weight: 16.58 g) were modeled through magnetic resonance imaging/computed tomography scans using SolidWorks/Mimics and printed with PP filament on a Bambu X1-Carbon printer. Comparative experiments with polylactic acid (PLA) included power analysis (Pass21 software) to determine a sample size of 14 (seven per group). Weight and density were compared using independent and single-sample t-tests, respectively.
Results:
Out of five printing trials, three yielded successful PP prostheses with optimized parameters, whereas two failed due to inadequate supports or material overflow. Among the two groups, PP prostheses exhibited a mean weight of 15.41 ± 1.53 g (vs. target: 16.58 g), whereas PLA prostheses were significantly heavier (19.95 ± 0.93 g, p < 0.001). PP density (0.98 ± 0.01 g/mL) closely matched reference testicles (p = 0.062), whereas PLA density (1.23 ± 0.01 g/mL) deviated significantly (p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
3D printing with PP could enable the creation of personalized testicular prostheses that meet clinical needs for size, shape, and particularly weight, potentially improving patient satisfaction.
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