title: Three-Dimensional Modeling May Improve Surgical Education and Clinical Practice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Three-dimensional (3D) printing has been used in the manufacturing industry for rapid prototyping and product testing. The aim of our study was to assess the feasibility of creating anatomical 3D models from a digital image using 3D printers. Furthermore, we sought face validity of models and explored potential opportunities for using 3D printing to enhance surgical education and clinical practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Computed tomography and magnetic resonance images were reviewed, converted to computer models, and printed by stereolithography to create near exact replicas of human organs. Medical students and surgeons provided feedback via survey at the 2014 Surgical Education Week conference.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 51 respondents, and 95.8% wanted these models for their patients. Cost was a concern, but 82.6% found value in these models at a price less than $500. All respondents thought the models would be useful for integration into the medical school curriculum.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Three-dimensional printing is a potentially disruptive technology to improve both surgical education and clinical practice. As the technology matures and cost decreases, we envision 3D models being increasingly used in surgery.
authors.affiliation: Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA Carl J. Shapiro Simulation & Skills Center, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA djones1@bidmc.harvard.edu.
authors.forename: Daniel B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.affiliation: Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA Carl J. Shapiro Simulation & Skills Center, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sung
authors.affiliation: Carl J. Shapiro Simulation & Skills Center, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA Biomoedical Modeling Inc., Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Crispin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Weinberg
authors.affiliation: Carl J. Shapiro Simulation & Skills Center, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Theodore
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Korelitz
authors.affiliation: Carl J. Shapiro Simulation & Skills Center, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Andrews
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D009369:Neoplasms; D066330:Printing, Three-Dimensional; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: education; innovation; surgery; three-dimensional (3D) printing