Use of 3D-Printed Models of Blood Vessels Studied to Improve Interventional Training

March 27, 2018—The Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) announced the presentation of a study demonstrating that a relatively inexpensive three-dimensional (3D)–printed model of a patient's blood vessels is as effective as current commercially available models for training medical students in interventional radiology vascular access. Alexander Sheu, MD, et al presented the findings (abstract 297, available at www.sirmeeting.org) at the SIR 2018 annual scientific meeting held March 17–22 in Los Angeles, California.

As summarized by SIR, the investigators developed a simulation experience and randomized 32 medical students to test their comfort in practicing with a 3D-printed model or a commercially available model that simulates ultrasound-guided access through the femoral artery.

Before the simulation exercise, 73% of the 3D group and 76% of the commercial model group indicated that they did not feel confident in performing the procedure.

After the training, most of the 3D and commercial model trainees agreed that their respective models were easy to use (93.3% and 94.1%) and helpful for practice (93.3% and 94.1%). Additionally, confidence in performing the femoral artery access procedure increased by a similar amount in both groups.

As a result of these findings, the investigators aim to extend this training to resident and fellow trainees and to study additional possible benefits of these devices. In addition, they may develop 3D-printed models for other parts of the body with arteries accessed in interventional radiology.

The investigators noted that medical simulation exercises are playing an increasingly larger role in medical training, especially in the field of interventional radiology. Whereas many commercially available devices cost between $2,000 and $3,000 each, 3D printing has the ability to produce practice models inexpensively and more realistically.

The 3D printing technology can reproduce a patient's exact vessels based on a CT scan and produce an ultrasound-compatible vascular access model that is unique to that patient's anatomy. To adapt the 3D printing technology to their needs, the investigators used a tissue-mimicking material that was durable to withstand punctures but still felt realistic. This tailoring allows trainees to practice with variations in anatomy before they encounter them during a procedure, which may help to lower complication rates, stated the investigators in the SIR announcement.

Dr. Sheu commented in the press release, "We've come up with a viable method for creating something that's inexpensive and also customizable to individual patients. The current model used to train medical students lacks the ability to replicate a patient's anatomy. Our 3D-printed model will provide students a more realistic experience, allowing for better preparation before they perform procedures on real patients.

"Now that we know that a 3D-printed model is just as effective at training medical students in this type of procedure, this simulation experience can be made available to even more trainees and potentially improve procedural skills for residents, fellows, and attendees. We foresee this really making an impact in the world of interventional radiology training." Dr. Sheu is an interventional and diagnostic radiology resident at Stanford University School of Medicine in Stanford, California.