Surgeons are using 3D-printed models of patients’ livers to navigate through complex cancer procedures.
It marks a significant milestone in the medical landscape.
The initiative aims to revolutionise surgical planning and decision-making for patients afflicted with hilar cholangiocarcinoma, a formidable form of bile duct cancer.
By harnessing the power of cutting-edge technology, CT and MRI scans are transformed into intricate 3D replicas, empowering surgeons with a newfound clarity of the patient’s anatomy before they even step into the operating room.
Mr Arjun Takhar, a consultant specialising in hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancer surgery at University Hospital Southampton, is leading the charge.
The project has the financial backing of PLANETS Cancer Charity, which generously supports the endeavour.
Mr Takhar and his team are looking to redefine the standard of care for these challenging cases.
The conventional approach to such surgeries often entails uncertainty. Surgeons navigate delicate structures in real time, sometimes discovering insurmountable obstacles mid-operation.
This unpredictability can lead to unfavourable outcomes for patients, prompting a dire need for a more precise, pre-emptive strategy.
He said: ‘3D printed models are increasingly being used to help with decision-making before and during surgery and better to understand the anatomical relationships of tumours within organ structures.’
He added that surgeons sometimes take ‘irreversible steps’ only to discover that the tumour cannot be removed completely, resulting in ‘poor outcomes for patients in the short and long-term’.
The 3D-printed models are crafted to mirror each patient’s unique anatomy down to the minutest detail.
The replicas allow surgeons to scrutinise tumours, surrounding blood vessels, and bile ducts in a controlled, scaled environment before entering the operating room.
These models also serve as invaluable educational tools about liver anatomy for the next generation of surgical trainees.
Mr Takhar added: ‘This is a unique opportunity to use novel technology to help patients with a difficult disease, and we foresee the technology being adopted in patients with other liver tumours, too.’
