Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of combining three-dimensional printing (3DP) models with three-dimensional visualization (3DV) technology in the teaching of thoracoscopic sublobar resection. Methods From March 2024 to June 2025, 150 interns were randomly assigned by envelope method to the 3DV, 3DP, and combined (3DV+3DP) groups. Three theoretical tests and score changes were used to assess short- and long-term teaching outcomes, and a questionnaire survey was conducted to analyze learning experience. Results After teaching, scores improved significantly in all groups (P<0.001), with the greatest increase in the combined group (47.18±5.81), which was higher than the 3DV and 3DP groups (P<0.001 and P=0.002, respectively). At 1 month, scores declined in all groups (P=0.028), but the combined group showed the smallest decrease (?6.94 ± 6.05). The combined group also showed the most pronounced advantage in spatial cognition (38.0%). Conclusion Innovative 3DP+3DV instructional model improves sublobar lung resection teaching and shows better long-term retention and spatial cognition.
Objective To compare the effect of three-dimensional visual (3DV) model, three-dimensional printing (3DP) model and computer-aided design (CAD) modified 3DP model in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) sublobular resection. MethodsThe clinical data of patients who underwent VATS sublobular resection in the Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University from November 2021 to August 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into 3 groups including a 3DV group, a 3DP group and a CAD-3DP group according to the tools used. The perioperative indexes and subjective evaluation of operators, patients and their families were compared. ResultsA total of 22 patients were included. There were 5 males and 17 females aged 32-77 (56.95±12.50) years. There were 9 patients in the 3DV group, 6 patients in the 3DP group, and 7 patients in the CAD-3DP group. There was no statistical difference in the operation time, intraoperative blood loss, drainage volume, hospital stay time or postoperative complications among the groups (P>0.05). Based on the subjective evaluations of 4 surgeons, the CAD-3DP group was better than the 3DV group in the preoperative planning efficiency (P=0.025), intuitiveness (P=0.045) and doctor-patient communication difficulty (P=0.034); the CAD-3DP group was also better than the 3DP group in the overall satisfaction (P=0.023), preoperative planning difficulty (P=0.046) and efficiency (P=0.014). Based on the subjective evaluations of patients and their families, the CAD-3DP group was better than the 3DP group in helping understand the vessel around the tumor (P=0.016), surgical procedure (P=0.020), procedure selection (P=0.029), and overall satisfaction (P=0.048); the CAD-3DP group was better than the 3DV group in helping understand the tumor size (P=0.038). ConclusionCAD-modified 3DP model has certain advantages in pre-planning, intraoperative navigation and doctor-patient communication in the VATS sublobectomy.