Abstract
With the increasing complexity and difficulty of surgical procedures, there is an urgent need for empirical and high-fidelity surgical teaching tools. Whereas in the past, teaching tools included cadavers and animals, today, with the development of three-dimensional (3D) printing technology, the creation of patient-specific organ models is possible. This technology provides an effective solution for preoperative rehearsal, thus providing surgery residents with a more realistic simulation environment. This study aimed to provide an overview of the use of personalized 3D printing in various types of surgery through a scoping review, outline their bottlenecks, and provide an outlook. Significant advancements have been made in 3D-printed gel organ models for surgical applications. However, future advancements require interdisciplinary collaborations, medical–engineering integration and novel techniques. Addressing challenges in preservation, instrument response, ultrasound performance and mechanical properties is crucial. Enhancing these aspects will improve the capabilities of organ models, benefiting both medical practitioners and patients.
Author contributions
SJ Yu, XD Xu contributed to this work equally, and J Zhang and ZF Wang defined the focus of the review. XD Xu modified the manuscript. SJ Yu drafted the manuscript. LD Cao, L Ma, JL Mao and H Chen modified it into the final edition. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
Financial disclosure
This work was supported by the fund of the Subproject of the Key R&D Program of the Ministry of Science and Technology (2018YFB1107104) and the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Regional Cooperative Innovation Program (2019E0287). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.
Competing interests disclosure
The authors have no competing interests or relevant affiliations with any organization or entity with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, stock ownership or options and expert testimony.
Writing disclosure
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.