Development of a Three-Dimensional Mucosal Surface Cast of the Caprine Ruminoreticulum

In veterinary education, many exercises are performed on animals. Palpating the mucosa of the Ruminoreticulum in ruminants is a necessary preparatory exercise for future surgery. However, there are legal and ethical obligations to reduce the use of animals and improve animal welfare. This can be achieved using 3D models and simulators. To allow students to practice palpating the goat's forestomach, a simulator is being developed. The aim of the present study was to produce replicas of the mucosal surface of the Ruminoreticulum for the inner lining of this simulator. Two methods were applied and compared: 3D printing and surface casting. For 3D printing, computed tomography-based virtual templates were created and printed after appropriate post-processing. For the surface cast, a negative mold of the mucosal surfaces was created using epoxy resin. The positive mucosal cast was then created using silicone. The results showed a clear advantage of surface casting compared to 3D printing. The virtual templates and 3D prints lacked fine anatomical structures. In contrast, the surface casting method yielded detailed replicas of the mucosal surfaces of Rumen and Reticulum, including even finer anatomical structures. Since the silicone casts also allowed for haptic differentiation of mucosal formations, they can be considered a suitable inner lining for the planned simulator.