Use of 3D-printing cerebral aneurysm model assisting microcatheter shaping in neurovascular intervention technique training.

Background: Microcatheter shaping plays a vital role in coil embolization of cerebral aneurysms, while the complicated method and insufficient training opportunities make it difficult for junior neurovascular clinicians to master this technique. In this program, we constructed a novel training method and assessment system for microcatheter shaping in coil embolization of cerebral aneurysms with 3D technique, and evaluated its efficacy for microcatheter shaping training in junior neurovascular clinicians.

Methods: Patient-specific models for cerebral aneurysms in different locations and with different morphologies were selected by experienced senior neurovascular clinicians. The solid polylactic acid model and the soft hollow crystal silicone model of intracranial aneurysms were then made separately for shaping reference and assessment in the training course. Twelve residents without prior experience of microcatheter shaping and 25 neurovascular clinicians who have in vivo experience of microcatheter shaping on 3-5 occasions were selected for this training program and randomly divided into the traditional training group and the experimental training group. Four senior neurovascular clinicians assisted and guided the trainees in two groups and evaluated the time and accuracy of microcatheter shaping.

Results: Eighteen trainees were assigned to the traditional training group, among which 4 had prior experience in microcatheter shaping. The other 19 were assigned to the experimental training group, including 8 with prior experience. No statistical difference in the distribution of experienced students between the two groups was noted(P = 0.295). After the training session, the shaping time was found shorter in the experimental training group than that in the traditional training group (40.3.5 ± 16.2 s vs. 54.2 ± 16.4 s, P = 0.014), while the shaping score was found higher in the experimental training group than that in the traditional training group (4.4 ± 0.5 vs. 2.6 ± 1.2, P < 0.001). Specifically, for the trainees without prior experience, the experimental training group also showed less time consumption and higher score (Time: 52.7 ± 7.7 vs. 61.5 ± 9.5, P = 0.02; Score 4.1 ± 0.5 vs. 2.3 ± 1.1, P < 0.01). Meanwhile, for the trainees with prior experience, the advantage was noted in shaping score (4.7 ± 0.3 vs. 3.9 ± 0.6, P < 0.01) but not in time consumption (23.3 ± 4.4 vs. 28.5 ± 3.9, P = 0.07).

Conclusion: This training program is quite effective at teaching junior neurovascular physicians the essential surgical abilities required for coiling cerebral aneurysms.