چکیده (انگلیسی):

Introduction and background: Three dimensional (3D) printing has gained popularity in the medical field
because of increased research in the field of haptic 3D modeling. We review the role of 3D printing with
specific reference to liver directed applications.
Methods: A literature search was performed using the scientific databases Medline and PubMed. We
performed this in-line with the PRISMA [20] statement. We only included articles in English, available in
full text, published about adults, about liver surgery and published between 2005 and 2015. The 3D
model of a patient's liver venous vasculature and metastasis was prepared from a CT scan using Osirix
software (Pixmeo, Gineva, Switzerland) and printed using our 3D printer (MakerBot Replicator Z18, US).
To validate the model, measurements from the inferior vena cava (IVC) were compared between the CT
scan and the 3D printed model.
Results: A total of six studies were retrieved on 3D printing directly related to a liver application. While
stereolithography (STL) remains the gold standard in medical additive manufacturing, Fused Filament
Fabrication (FFF), is cheaper and may be more applicable. We found our liver 3D model made by FFF had
a 0.1 ± 0.06 mm margin of error (mean ± standard deviation) compared with the CT scans.
Conclusion: 3D printing in general surgery is yet to be thoroughly exploited. The most relevant feature of
interest with regard to liver surgery is the ability to view the 3D dimensional relationship of the various
hepatic and portal veins with respect to tumor deposits when planning hepatic resection.
Systematic review registration number: researchregistry1348.