title: Three-dimensional printing for perioperative planning of complex aortic arch surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In this study, we show the use of three-dimensional printing models for preoperative planning of surgery for patients with complex aortic arch anomalies.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 70-year-old man with an extensively arteriosclerotic aneurysm reaching from the ascending aorta to the descending aorta was referred to our center for complete aortic arch replacement. We visualized and reconstructed computed tomography data of the patient and fabricated a flexible three-dimensional model of the aortic arch including the aneurysm.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This model was very helpful for the preoperative decision making and planning of the frozen elephant trunk procedure owing to the exact and lifelike illustration of the native aortic arch.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Three-dimensional models are helpful in preoperative planning and postoperative evaluation of frozen elephant trunk procedures in patients with complex aortic anatomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiac Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schmauss
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiac Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Gerd
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Juchem
authors.affiliation: ISTB-Institute for Surgical Technology and Biomechanics, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Weber
authors.affiliation: ISTB-Institute for Surgical Technology and Biomechanics, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gerber
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiac Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hagl
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiac Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany. Electronic address: ralf.sodian@med.uni-muenchen.de.
authors.forename: Ralf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sodian
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008297:Male; D019990:Perioperative Care; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed