Tumor Resection Accuracy Improved by 3D Printing

Henry Ford Innovations employs 3D-printed tumor models to enhance surgical precision, surpassing the limitations of standard imaging techniques.

These models, built from CT scans with advanced design, map tumor boundaries and critical structures, enabling accurate incision planning for complex cases.

Dr. Kevin Taliaferro, an orthopedic spine surgeon at Henry Ford Health, recalls reaching out to the HFI team to create a 3D-printed model of a patient’s complex tumor. The boundaries were unclear in CT scans, making it hard to plan incisions from the front and back. The model provided a tangible, three-dimensional view, showing the tumor's relationship to normal tissues and allowing precise margins for full resection without harm.

In primary tumors like this, where surgeons have one chance to remove everything bad and leave everything good, the model gave the crucial advantage. This clarity enabled a successful surgery, sparing healthy structures.

The 3D-printed tumor model allowed precise resection, minimizing damage to healthy tissue and improving surgical outcomes.

 

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Note that our 3D printing services are exclusively available to Henry Ford Health professionals to support surgical planning and patient care. Requests from individuals or organizations outside the HFH system cannot be accommodated.