Korean scientists 3D print surgical guides to aid breast tissue retention during cancer surgery

[Allen]

Researchers from the Korea-based Asan Medical Center have 3D printed surgical guides that could help cancer patients to retain more of their breasts after surgery. The scientists found during testing that they were not only able to customize their devices to each patient, but they could save tissue up to 1cm from the tumor. In […]

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[Dr. Mike]

This is really interesting article about using 3D printed needle guides (see picture) for tumor localization prior to breast conserving surgery in breast cancer, specifically ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). The report was published in Nature! The unique angle here is that the guides can be created from MRI, which can show the tumor most accurately. More traditional methods of pre-op localization involve mammography or ultrasound localization.

 

There were only 11 patients in this study, but it is a very interesting application of 3D printing technology to allow MRI to be used to guide surgeries.

 

 

 

[Angel Sosa]

Great post Allen! 👍👍👍