Can high resolution 3D resin printed models be used in anatomy education? A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objectives: Resin printing is a rapidly growing technology with a diverse range of applications. This study aims to examine the usability of 3D resin printed models in anatomy education. Methods: The study included 84 students who were randomly assigned to either a 3D resin print group (n=42) or a plastic model group (n=42) based on their sex, lateralization, anatomy quiz scores, and Purdue spatial visualization test rotations scores. After attending a lecture, each participant examined an original sacrum and either a 3D printed or a plastic model, depending on their group. The participants were then asked to compare the models to the original using a visual analog scale (VAS) questionnaire, which consisted of four questions about the model’s weight, anatomical accuracy, level of detail, and texture quality. The participants’ ability to identify the models was evaluated using a 3-point Likert scale. Results: The results showed that the 3D printed model had significantly higher ratings than the plastic model in terms of weight, level of detail, and texture quality (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in accuracy scores (p>0.05) or the participants’ ability to identify the models (p>0.05). Conclusion: 3D resin printed models are superior to plastic models in some aspects. These results suggest that 3D resin printed model can be used as in the conventional anatomy training approach.