Application Of a Three-Dimensional Printed Inferior Mesenteric Artery Model in Laparoscopic Radical Resection with Preservation of Left Colic Artery for Rectal Cancer

Abstract

Background

Preservation of the left colic artery (LCA) reduces the incidence of anastomotic leakage (AL) in radical resection of rectal cancer (RC). However, anatomical variations in the branches of the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) and LCA present significant surgical challenges. Here, we construct a 3D-printed IMA model to precisely determine the location and course of the LCA before surgery, and investigate the beneficial impact of this model on surgery performance.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed patients with RC who received laparoscopic radical resection between January 2022 and November 2023 at Fuyang People's Hospital. Patients were divided into 3D printing group (cohort A) and control group (cohort B) and their perioperative characteristics were statistically analyzed.

Results

Cohort A comprised 44 patients, while cohort B consisted of 57 patients. Operating time (200.340 ± 44.254 vs. 237.018 ± 71.006 min, p = 0.004), intraoperative blood loss (37.500 ± 14.480 vs. 63.333 ± 25.843 ml, p = 0.001), duration of hospitalization (14.022 ± 2.398 vs. 18.263 ± 9.328 days, p = 0.004), and postoperative recovery time (8.841 ± 2.088 vs. 11.461 ± 6.602 days, p = 0.014) were significantly lower in cohort A than in cohort B. There were no significant differences in the number of lymph node dissections, presence of lymph vessel invasion, and AL between the two groups.

Conclusions

Utilization of a 3D-printed IMA model in laparoscopic radical resection of RC can assist the surgeon in understanding the LCA anatomy preoperatively, reducing intraoperative bleeding, shortening operating time, and promoting rapid postoperative recovery.