3D printing helps patients avoid organ damage during tumor removal surgery
September 20 06:14:07, 2025
In a groundbreaking surgical procedure, the urology and surgery subspecialty team at Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, successfully performed a high-selective branch artery laparoscopic nephron-sparing surgery using advanced 3D visualization technology combined with a 3D-printed model. This innovative approach was used to treat a patient with a left renal tumor, allowing for precise blockage of the tumor’s specific blood supply while removing the tumor and minimizing damage to healthy kidney tissue. This is believed to be the first time such 3D technology has been applied in this type of surgery in Central South China. The procedure not only reflects the principles of "precision urology" but also elevates the standards of urological care and kidney cancer treatment at Xiangya Hospital.
A 60-year-old woman, Li Ayi, was diagnosed with a complex left kidney tumor located near the renal hilum, surrounded by critical structures like the renal artery, vein, and collecting system. Due to the tumor's position, traditional radical nephrectomy was considered too risky, and she sought treatment at Xiangya Hospital after visiting multiple other facilities.
Radical nephrectomy was once the standard treatment for kidney cancer, but recent advancements in surgical techniques have led to more conservative approaches. Nephron-sparing surgery now allows for removal of the tumor while preserving as much healthy kidney tissue as possible. However, performing such procedures in difficult locations remains a significant challenge for surgeons.
Professor Qi Lin, head of the Urology Department at Xiangya Hospital, emphasized that surgeries involving tumors near major blood vessels and the ureter are particularly complex. After reviewing Li Ayi’s case, his team decided to use cutting-edge 3D technology to enhance preoperative planning and improve surgical accuracy.
By combining 3D imaging and physical 3D-printed models, the medical team was able to visualize the exact location of the tumor and its relationship with surrounding structures. This allowed them to plan a precise surgical strategy to block only the branch artery supplying the tumor, thus protecting the rest of the kidney from thermal ischemic injury.
On May 11th, Professor Qi Lin successfully performed the laparoscopic nephron-sparing surgery based on the detailed preoperative 3D planning. The operation was completed with minimal blood loss—only 50 ml—and the patient recovered well afterward.
According to Professor Qi Lin, the integration of 3D technology enables surgeons to "see is believe." It allows for accurate tumor localization, clear understanding of anatomical relationships, and detailed surgical simulation before the actual operation. For high-risk cases like renal hilar tumors, it helps identify the target vessel and plan the surgical path in advance, ensuring that both tumor removal and wound closure are done with minimal impact on kidney function.
This achievement marks a significant milestone in the application of 3D technology in urological surgery, demonstrating how innovation can improve patient outcomes and redefine modern surgical practices.
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