title: Do 3D Printing Models Improve Anatomical Teaching About Hepatic Segments to Medical Students? A Randomized Controlled Study.
abstract: It is a difficult and frustrating task for young surgeons and medical students to understand the anatomy of hepatic segments. We tried to develop an optimal 3D printing model of hepatic segments as a teaching aid to improve the teaching of hepatic segments.
  
  
  
  A fresh human cadaveric liver without hepatic disease was CT scanned. After 3D reconstruction, three types of 3D computer models of hepatic structures were designed and 3D printed as models of hepatic segments without parenchyma (type 1) and with transparent parenchyma (type 2), and hepatic ducts with segmental partitions (type 3). These models were evaluated by six experts using a five-point Likert scale. Ninety two medical freshmen were randomized into four groups to learn hepatic segments with the aid of the three types of models and traditional anatomic atlas (TAA). Their results of two quizzes were compared to evaluate the teaching effects of the four methods.
  
  
  
  Three types of models were successful produced which displayed the structures of hepatic segments. By experts' evaluation, type 3 model was better than type 1 and 2 models in anatomical condition, type 2 and 3 models were better than type 1 model in tactility, and type 3 model was better than type 1 model in overall satisfaction (P < 0.05). The first quiz revealed that type 1 model was better than type 2 model and TAA, while type 3 model was better than type 2 and TAA in teaching effects (P < 0.05). The second quiz found that type 1 model was better than TAA, while type 3 model was better than type 2 model and TAA regarding teaching effects (P < 0.05). Only TAA group had significant declines between two quizzes (P < 0.05).
  
  
  
  The model with segmental partitions proves to be optimal, because it can best improve anatomical teaching about hepatic segments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Biomechanics, School of Basic Medical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Xiangxue
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Kong
authors.affiliation: Department of Traumatic Orthopedics, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Lanying
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nie
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Huijian
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Biomechanics, School of Basic Medical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Zhanglin
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, The 3rd Affiliated Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Qiang
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Biomechanics, School of Basic Medical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Biomechanics, School of Basic Medical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. hwh@fimmu.com.
authors.forename: Wenhua
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Biomechanics, School of Basic Medical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. lijianyi@outlook.com.
authors.forename: Jianyi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D066330:Printing, Three-Dimensional; D013337:Students, Medical