ArticleGland surgery2021
3D-printed, patient-specific DIEP flap templates for preoperative planning in breast reconstruction: a prospective case series.
Article in Gland surgery, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 8 papers.
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Who cites it
8 citing papers in PubMed, 25 citations in OpenAlex.
- The anterior intercostal artery perforator flap in immediate oncoplastic breast reconstruction: current applications and future perspectives.Frontiers in oncology · 2026Review
- Redefining Reconstruction: Technological Innovations in Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction.Cancers · 2025Review
- Perspectives in Using Multiple Flaps Reconstructions for Advanced Head and Neck Tumors (Scoping Review).Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) · 2024Article
- Suture Packaging as a Marker for Intraoperative Image Alignment in Augmented Reality on Mobile Devices.Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open · 2024Article
- Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) 3D Printing Special Interest Group (SIG) clinical situations for which 3D printing is considered an appropriate representation or extension of data contained in a medical imaging examination: breast conditions.3D printing in medicine · 2023Article
- Vascular Mapping for Abdominal-Based Breast Reconstruction: A Comprehensive Review of Current and Upcoming Imaging Modalities.Eplasty · 2023Review
- The accuracy of clinical 3D printing in reconstructive surgery: literature review andGland surgery · 2021Review
- Enhanced Preoperative Deep Inferior Epigastric Artery Perforator Flap Planning with a 3D-Printed Perforasome Template: Technique and Case Report.Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open · 2018Article
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Authors and funding
5 authors at 3 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundModern imaging technologies, such as computed tomographic angiography (CTA), can be useful for preoperative assessment in deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap surgery. Planning perforator flap design can lead to improved surgical efficiency. However, current imaging modalities are limited by being displayed on a two-dimensional (2D) surface. In contrast, a 3D-printed model provides tactile feedback that facilitates superior understanding. Hence, we have 3D-printed patient-specific deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) templates, in an affordable and convenient manner, for preoperative planning.
methodsTwenty consecutive patients undergoing 25 immediate or delayed post-mastectomy autologous breast reconstruction with DIEP or muscle-sparing transverse rectus abdominis (MS-TRAM) flaps are recruited prospectively. Using free, open-source softwares (3D Slicer, Autodesk MeshMixer, and Cura) and desktop 3D printers (Ultimaker 3E and Moment), we created a template based on a patient's abdominal wall anatomy from CTA, with holes and lines indicating the position of perforators, their intramuscular course and the DIEA pedicle.
resultsThe mean age of patients was 52 [38-67]. There were 15 immediate and 10 delayed reconstructions. 3D printing time took mean 18 hours and 123.7 g of plastic filament, which calculates to a mean material cost of AUD 8.25. DIEP templates accurately identified the perforators and reduced intraoperative perforator identification by 7.29 minutes (P=0.02). However, the intramuscular dissection time was not affected (P=0.34). Surgeons found the template useful for preoperative marking (8.6/10) and planning (7.9/10), but not for intramuscular dissection (5.9/10). There were no immediate flap-related complications.
conclusionsOur 3D-printed, patient-specific DIEP template is accurate, significantly reduces intraoperative perforator identification time and, hence, may be a useful tool for preoperative planning in autologous breast reconstruction.
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