Use of 3-Dimensional Printing to Create Patient-Specific Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Models for Preoperative Planning

Abstract

Fenestrated endovascular aortic repair (FEVAR) stent grafting is a minimally invasive procedure and an alternative to open surgical repair for abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, particularly with unideal neck anatomy. Planning and implementing a custom FEVAR graft is complicated, requiring advanced training and years of practice. As such, a method for creating a patient-specific, to-scale, cost-effective, 3-dimensional abdominal aortic aneurysm model for use in preoperative planning is presented. The model can be used to help physicians create custom FEVAR grafts, thus eliminating the currently used difficult and technical method for creating custom grafts. It also can assist physicians in visualizing and practicing their surgical approach for a specific patient.

Keywords: 3-dimensional printing; abdominal aortic aneurysm; patient specific; prepperative planning.