[Three-dimensional print of aortic aneurysm models aid preoperative planning in complicated endovascular repair procedure].
OBJECTIVE
To attempt to produce highly accurate three-dimensional (3D) printed models of aortic aneurysm models aid complicated preoperative planning in endovascular repair procedures.


METHODS
From October 2012 to May 2014, six patients with complicated aortic aneurysms (one aortic arch aneurysms, one thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms and four juxtarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms) accepted preoperative contrast-enhanced CT angiography (CTA) scans for procedural planning, 4 male and 2 female, average age 64 years (range 52 to 73 years). All the CTA data were processed with FitMe 3D image processing software to get the modified 3D reconstruction pictures and computer language that can be identified by the 3D printer. With the fused deposition modeling technology, the highly accurate models were got to make preoperative endovascular planning.


RESULTS
All the patients' models were printed before operations. By the guidance of models, the endovascular procedure plans were drawn up. Three patients were performed extracorporeal simulating operations with the models and four patients' endovascular operations were guided by the models during the intraoperative time. The procedure technique success rate was 100%. No serious complications and patients dead during the perioperative period.


CONCLUSIONS
The technology of 3D printed highly accurate models of aortic aneurysm models is feasible and can help to make preoperative endovascular planning for improving the safety of complicated procedures.
Department of Vascular Surgery, People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China.
Hongpeng
H
Zhang
Tong
T
Lu
Email: pla301dml@vip.sina.com.
Wei
W
Guo
Xiaoping
X
Liu
Xin
X
Jia
Jiang
J
Xiong
Xiaohui
X
Ma
Lijun
L
Wang
D000368:Aged; D001014:Aortic Aneurysm / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D017545:Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D001027:Aortography; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods*; D057510:Endovascular Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D057234:Preoperative Period; D012984:Software; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed