Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41485041›Full record

ArticleBMC medical education2026

A novel and cost-effective 3D-printed model enabling stepwise simulation workflows of posterior lumbar interbody fusion for resident training - a pilot feasibility study.

Lin Han, An Wang, Xu Su, Yang Li, Yuchen Qin, Huipeng Zhou, Zhiwei Wang, Xiaoxi Wang, Yajun Cheng, Wenbo Lin

Abstract read
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in BMC medical education, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Lin Han *Department of Orthopaedics, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China.
An Wang *Department of Trauma Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Xu Su *Department of Orthopaedics, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China.
Yang LiDepartment of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China.
Yuchen QinDepartment of Health Statistics, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China.
Huipeng ZhouDepartment of Orthopaedics, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China.
Zhiwei WangDepartment of Orthopaedics, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China.
Xiaoxi WangDepartment of Orthopaedics, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China. 18217081070@163.com.
Yajun ChengDepartment of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China. cheng159979@126.com.
Wenbo LinDepartment of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China. lwbsmmu@163.com.

Funding

Naval Medical University Qihang Programme to WenBo LinScience and Technology Innovation Action Plan from The Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality 23Y11903100Tengfei Project of Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University to Lin Han
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveLumbosacral vertebral models with intervertebral discs and anatomical nerve structures were made by 3D printing technology to improve orthopedic residents’ surgical skills in posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) simulation training.

methodsIn contrast to conventional spinal models limited to pedicle screw insertion training, this study introduces an innovative synthetic simulator that integrates anatomically precise lumbosacral vertebrae, branching spinal nerves, compressible intervertebral discs, and layered soft tissue structures (dermal-muscular layers) through computer-aided design and 3D printing. This technical advancement achieves high-fidelity anatomical replication, thereby enabling stepwise simulation of complete posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) workflows. Then, the residents in the 3D printing group share identical opportunities for learning PLIF surgical skills in clinical operation with those in the control group, while practicing additional simulated PLIF surgery utilizing 3D printing models. A rating scale for simulated PLIF surgery was designed and the variables were compared between the two groups.

resultsThe 3D printing group got significant higher scores in the total score, operative time, screw placement accuracy, and avoidance of spinal dural sac and nerve roots injury than the control group.

conclusionThe 3D printing technology and soft tissue simulated by colored clay is helpful for orthopedic residents to improve their surgical skills in simulated lumbar fusion surgery.

Indexed as

Internship and ResidencyLumbar VertebraeModels, AnatomicOrthopedicsPrinting, Three-DimensionalSimulation TrainingSpinal FusionClinical CompetenceCost-Benefit AnalysisFeasibility StudiesHumansPilot ProjectsWorkflow3D printingEducationResident trainingSpine surgerySurgical simulation

Identifiers

PMID41485041
PMCPMC12866064

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.