At Mayo Clinic, innovation in surgical planning and execution is being driven by cutting-edge 3D printing technology. This advanced approach is transforming how surgeons understand and treat complex conditions, particularly in areas requiring intricate anatomical knowledge, such as those handled by Ear Doctors and specialists in head and neck conditions. Experts like Dr. Jonathan M. Morris, a radiologist, and Dr. Daniel L. Price, an otorhinolaryngologist, are at the forefront of this revolution, demonstrating how 3D printing enhances precision, reduces operative time, and improves patient outcomes.
Dr. Morris highlights Mayo Clinic’s pioneering role in integrating 3D printing into hospital infrastructure. He emphasizes the synergy between 3D printing and advanced surgical techniques, especially in complex cases. “There’s really no hospital system that has built as much infrastructure around 3D printing as Mayo has,” he states. This infrastructure supports extensive research into how 3D printing complements surgical interventions, leading to a deeper understanding of patient-specific anatomy before surgery even begins.
The application of virtual surgical planning and patient-specific cutting guides, made possible by 3D printing, is significantly streamlining surgical procedures. Dr. Morris notes the dramatic impact on operative time: “With patient-specific virtual surgical planning and cutting guides, you can save up to 2 hours in the operating room.” This reduction in time under anesthesia is crucial for patient safety and recovery. Furthermore, meticulous pre-operative planning facilitated by 3D models leads to “a better outcome because of all the design ahead of time,” ensuring greater surgical precision and efficacy.
Mayo Clinic has established a unique “point-of-care manufacturing” specialty, which Dr. Morris describes as bringing manufacturing directly into the hospital environment. This eliminates delays and potential misinterpretations in translating medical imaging data into tangible surgical tools. The process is remarkably seamless: “We go from CT scan to three-dimensional model of complex cancer in every area of the body, but particularly in head and neck, quite seamlessly.” This integration of surgery, biomedical engineering, and radiology in one setting is crucial for creating not only 3D printed models but also comprehensive virtual surgical plans.
The tangible output of this process is life-size, three-dimensional models derived from patient imaging, including detailed anatomy, tumor structures, and vascularity. These models serve as invaluable “roadmaps” for surgeons, as Dr. Morris explains. For specialists like ear doctors, who navigate the delicate and complex anatomy of the ear and surrounding structures, such detailed models are particularly beneficial.
Dr. Price, from Otorhinolaryngology, elaborates on the transformative impact of 3D modeling on surgical understanding. While medical professionals are accustomed to interpreting two-dimensional images from CT scans and MRIs, 3D modeling offers a tactile and intuitive grasp of patient anatomy. “We’re all used to looking at two-dimensional images of patients and CT scans and MRIs. And 3D modeling takes that 2D image and turns it into something that you can hold in your hands and really understand what’s the patient’s anatomy,” Dr. Price remarks. This enhanced understanding is particularly crucial in reconstructive surgeries, where precision is paramount.
Custom-fit guides, another application of 3D printing, are essential for procedures such as jaw reconstruction using bone grafts from other parts of the body. These guides ensure “perfect bone-to-bone contact,” maximizing the chances of successful integration and restoring the patient’s appearance as closely as possible to their pre-diagnosis state. For ear doctors performing intricate reconstructive procedures in the ear canal or outer ear, the precision offered by 3D printed guides can be transformative.
The ability to meticulously plan and practice complex surgeries virtually, before entering the operating room, is a significant advantage. Dr. Price emphasizes the importance of getting it right the first time, especially in delicate procedures often performed by ear doctors. “But you really have to get it perfect the first time. We have the opportunity to practice, plan and make it perfect on a computer before we ever get to the operating room.” This virtual planning translates to tangible benefits for patients. Studies at Mayo Clinic have shown that “patients had less complications long term when we use 3D modeling. They were less likely to have a plate break, and they were less likely to have that bone fracture or nonunion.”
Beyond surgical precision and planning, 3D models serve as powerful communication tools, particularly for enhancing patient consent. Dr. Morris points out that allowing patients to physically interact with a model of their own anatomy, such as “their own skull or their own mandible or their own tumor in their hands,” significantly improves their understanding of their condition and the proposed treatment. This is invaluable for all surgical specialties, including ear doctors, in ensuring patients are fully informed and comfortable with their care plan.
The collaborative, multidisciplinary environment at Mayo Clinic is further enhanced by 3D printing capabilities. Dr. Morris describes how care teams now integrate biomedical engineers and 3D printing experts alongside surgeons and radiologists. “So instead of just surgeon and neuroradiologists meeting to discuss cases, now we have surgeon, neuroradiologist, biomedical engineers, and 3D printing capabilities all in the same care team.” This holistic approach ensures that the expertise from various fields converges to provide the best possible care.
Dr. Price concludes by highlighting Mayo Clinic’s strength in managing complex patient cases. He emphasizes that the efficiency and collective expertise of the institution’s specialists are crucial in tackling challenging medical situations. “We excel at complex patient care. And I think that’s where our efficiency and the expertise of all of our colleagues to take care of those complex patients really comes into play.” For patients requiring the specialized skills of ear doctors or facing complex head and neck conditions, Mayo Clinic’s integrated, technology-driven approach offers a significant advantage, leveraging innovations like 3D printing to achieve superior surgical outcomes and enhanced patient care.
