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Simulation-Based Thoracic Surgery Training: 3D-Printed Model for Lower Right Lung Lobectomy
Castaldi A, Rabazzi G, Guerrieri R, et al. Simulation-Based Thoracic Surgery Training: 3D-Printed Model for Lower Right Lung Lobectomy. July 2025. doi:10.25373/ctsnet.29497364
This video submission is from the 2025 CTSNet Instructional Video Competition. Watch all entries from the competition, including the winning videos.
Introduction
Minimally invasive surgery is gaining increasing acceptance supported by technological advancements that are progressively applied in the healthcare sector. Virtual reality (VR) simulator training has become an essential part of training for young surgeons, allowing them to progress in a protected setting. However, to make this training effective, increasingly realistic models are needed.
Methods
A course using virtual simulators, such as LapSim, was developed at the authors’ training center to help surgeons acquire the theoretical and practical bases of the tools available in minimally invasive surgery. This course, now available in many hospitals, was enhanced by collaborating with biomedical engineers to create an extremely realistic 3D model of the lung associated with mediastinal structures, on which to perform a real lung lobectomy.
Results
A realistic lower right lobectomy and lymphadenectomy were performed on a 3D lung model via uniport video-assisted thoracoscopy, while senior surgeons provided advice to optimize the technique. This was carried out in a realistic setting by renting an operating room, using surgical instruments commonly used in theatres (e.g., energy devices, staples, forceps), and replicating the entire surgical teams’ presence (i.e., surgeons, scrub nurses, anesthesiologists). The entire procedure was recorded using a video column connected to a 10 mm 30-degree optic.
References
- Pontiki AA, Rhode K, Lampridis S, Bille A. Three-Dimensional Printing Applications in Thoracic Surgery. Thorac Surg Clin. 2023 Aug;33(3):273-281. doi: 10.1016/j.thorsurg.2023.04.012. PMID: 37414483.
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