DOCTORS USE 3D PRINTING TO AID KIDNEY OPERATIONS

Japanese Surgeons Print 3D Models of Patient's Kidneys to Better Understand Complicated Surgeries

Surgeons at Kobe University, Japan, have come-up with a new way of simulating complicated kidney surgery. The Japanese team have turned to 3D printing, in order to get an edge on tricky operations to remove cancerous tumours from kidneys. These operations require both great speed and a high level of accuracy, and are stressful for surgeon and patient alike.

Now, surgeons have brought together the imaging capabilities of Computer Tomography and the high-precision qualities of 3D printing to create perfect models of patient’s kidneys. The group of surgeons first used computer tomography to scan cancerous organs, then printed exact models of these kidneys using a commercially available 3D printer. The resulting models were then used to simulate operations to remove tumours from kidneys.

The practical experience the doctors received from these simulations was very beneficial. Team leader, Dr. Yoshiyuki Shiga, has reported that ‘interruption times’ to blood supply during surgery, have been reduced to as short a time as 8 mins, which compares favorably with average times of 22 mins. A working group at the European Association of Urology, EAU, is now looking to standardize and promote this new technique amongst its members.