Tampa Surgeons Use 3D Printed Organs for Surgical Planning and Innovation

3D Printed Organ Replicas for Surgical Preparation

• 💡 Tampa General Hospital is utilizing 3D printing technology to create exact replicas of patient organs.
• 🎯 These 3D printed models allow surgeons to practice and prepare for complicated surgeries before operating on the actual patient.
• 🧠 Cardiologist Dr. Fodi Matar uses printed hearts to test the fit of surgical plugs, helping to determine the viability of a procedure.
• ⚠️ This approach helps surgeons fine-tune predictions of potential bad outcomes, leading to better patient selection and treatment.

The TGH USF Health 3D Printing Lab

• 🔬 The lab receives requests from doctors and uses MRI or CAT scans to create detailed 3D models.
• ⚙️ Six printers operate continuously, with some prints, like a prostate, taking three hours, and complex congenital hearts up to 70 hours.
• 🛠️ These models are crucial for surgeons performing novel procedures or unique cases, providing a training tool.

Beyond Surgical Planning: Innovative Applications

• 🩹 The 3D printing lab is also developing solutions for other hospital needs, such as creating inserts for blood coolers.
• 💰 These inserts help maintain proper blood temperature, preventing waste and saving the hospital thousands of dollars monthly.
• 🎓 The technology also serves as an educational tool for medical students to better understand complex anatomical cases.
• 🚀 The lab plans to expand its capabilities with ink printers and supports various departments including OBGYNS, ENT, and the cancer institute.