Preoperative Planning for Physician-Modified Endografts Using a Three-Dimensional Printer

Abstract

The medical uses of three-dimensional (3D) printing are evolving at a rapid pace. The current roles and the future outlooks of this technology for physician-modified endovascular graft (PMEG) in patients with juxtarenal aneurysm are discussed. Fenestrations of PMEG are designed taking into account the geometry of the stent graft. Designing of such stent grafts is extremely complicated, especially when PMEG is planned for the angulated portion of the aorta. A 3D model enables the designing of branch fenestrations, with consideration for the geometrical adaptation of the stent graft in a complex aortic anatomy. With the aid of 3D-printing technology, patients with juxtarenal aortic pathologies can be treated using fenestrated stent grafts, preserving the vital organ circulation and securing a robust length of proximal sealing zone.