title: Three dimensional model for surgical planning in resection of thoracic tumors.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The computed tomography scan provides vital information about the relationship of thoracic malignancies to the surrounding structures and aids in surgical planning. However, it can be difficult to visualize the images in a two-dimensional screen to interpret the full extent of the relationship between important structures in the surgical field.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report two cases where we used a three-dimensional printed model to aid in the surgical resection of thoracic malignancies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Careful planning is necessary to resect thoracic malignancies. Although two-dimensional images of the thoracic malignancies provide vital information about the tumor and its surrounding structures, the three-dimensional printed model can provide more accurate information about the tumor and assist in surgical planning.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Three-dimensional printed model provide better visualization of complex thoracic tumors, aid in counseling the patient about the surgical procedure and assisted in surgical resection of thoracic malignancy.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Surgery, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, United States; Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, United States. Electronic address: mpkim@houstonmethodist.org.
authors.forename: Min P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States.
authors.forename: Anderson H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Ta
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic Surgery, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, United States.
authors.forename: Warren A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Ellsworth
authors.affiliation: Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, United States.
authors.forename: Rex A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Marco
authors.affiliation: Departments of Surgery, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, United States; Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, United States.
authors.forename: Puja
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gaur
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States.
authors.forename: Jordan S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Miller
keywords: 3D printed model; Pancoast tumor; Spindle cell neoplasm; Surgical planning