Manufacturing of patient-specific pancreas models for surgical resections

Purpose: Patient-specific models of organs improve the planning of surgical resections and the intraoperative approach. In particular, pancreatic cancer surgery can benefit from a manufactured, patient-specific model. Therewith, the complex anatomical structures of and around the pancreas, especially the vessels, can be visualized. Methods: Several CT data sets showing the pancreas / pancreatic cancer were segmented. A special software system was used which allows segmentation of different tissues and export of three dimensional model data. A patient-specific model containing the pancreas, pancreatic cancer, arteries and veins was created for each case using rapid prototyping technologies. Different prototyping techniques were applied to show details and anatomical structures within the pancreas. Results: The patient-specific models of the pancreas / pancreatic cancer allowed better visualization of the three-dimensional anatomical structure as well as the perception of size and relations of dimensions and volume. Additionally, the vessels and the cancer within the pancreas were highlighted. Conclusions: The described procedure of creating patient-specific models of the pancreas promises advantages for pre-and intraoperative planning of pancreatic cancer surgery.