3D printed model assisting with surgery

The Herston Biofabrication Institute (HBI) has worked with ENT surgeons at the RBWH to develop highly detailed airway models for patients requiring complex surgery.

The 3D-printed models include several hard and soft tissues, providing an aid to visualise and plan procedures such as laryngeal reconstruction.

HBI designers worked with CT and MRI images and used medical 3D modelling software to extract anatomical regions of interest, before generating a 3D model that mimics the airway of the patient.

RBWH ENT Doctor Joshua Liaw has worked closely with HBI engineers on several cases and sees an ongoing need for these 3D-printed airway models.

One of the cases had been stepped down from ICU, with full restoration of his voice and airway, having undergone complex laryngotracheal resection surgery with the assistance of 3D modelling.

“I think it is a significant benefit to patient care, and the department is very keen to have it become a part of the work-up for complex cases in the future,” Dr Liaw said.