Application of three-dimensional printing in the resection of giant tumor of the thoracic cavity and the reconstruction surgery of chest wall

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate, the feasibility and efficacy of three-dimensional (3D) digital navigation, 3D design, and 3D printing in the surgical treatment of giant tumors in thoracic cavity. Patients and Methods: A 62-year-old male patient had a giant tumor in the left thoracic cavity. The tumor constricted the left lobe with the left chest wall being involved. We performed high-precision consecutive thin-sectional computed tomography (CT) scanning and obtained the 3D model of the tumor, lung, pulmonary, tracheobronchial tree, sternum, ribs, and costal cartilage with self-developed 3D image processing software. Before surgery, we also carried out digital navigation, printed out the tumor and the chest wall that is intended to be reconstructed, and developed the surgery program for the giant tumor. At the same time, 3D chest wall titanium was produced based on 3D printing. We performed giant tumor resection and sutured the titanium plate to the chest wall of the patient to repair the chest wall defect. After surgery, we performed CT scans and 3D reconstruction in order to determine the efficacy of surgical treatment. Results: The results showed that we successfully designed the repair surgery program for chest wall defect after the tumor resection. Titanium based on the 3D printing-assisted design completely fit the chest wall defect. Blood loss was significantly reduced compared to conventional titanium suture. There were fewer postoperative complications, and patient recovery was fast. Conclusion: We conclude that 3D printing-assisted resection of tumors in the thoracic cavity and chest wall reconstruction contributes to developing surgery program and performing complex thoracic surgery, which improves the efficacy of surgery, shortens the operation time, reduces the abrasion of conventional steel implant to the residual sternum, ribs, chest wall muscle and pleura, decreases the bleeding, abnormal breathing, and achieves the developmental shift to digital and personalized cardiothoracic surgery.