3D printing of canine hip dysplasia: anatomic models and radiographs

Tridimensional models and radiographic study of dorsal laminectomy and thoracolumbar hemilaminectomy in dogs

PURPOSE

To create three-dimensional anatomical models of the thoracic and lumbar portions of the canine spine that reproduce the vertebral surgical approaches of dorsal laminectomy and hemilaminectomy, and to perform the respective radiographic evaluations of each approach.

METHODS

In a digital archive of the canine spine, digitally replicate the dorsal laminectomy and hemilaminectomy in the thoracic and lumbar portions and, then, make tridimensional prints of the vertebral models and obtain radiographs in three dorsoventral, ventrodorsal and laterolateral projections.

RESULTS

The anatomical models of the surgical spinal canal accesses of the thoracic and lumbar portions showed great fidelity to the natural bones. The created accesses have the proper shape, location and size, and their radiographic images showed similar radiodensities.

CONCLUSIONS

The replicas of the dorsal laminectomy and hemilaminectomy developed in the anatomical models in the thoracic and lumbar portions are able to represent the technical recommendations of the specialized literature, as well as their respective radiographic images, which have certain radiological properties that allow to make a deep radiological study. Therefore, the models are useful for neurosurgical training.

3D models of nonunion fractures in long bones as education tools

The appearance of fracture complications can present itself as a difficult scenario in a veterinarian's practice, and it can be difficult to diagnose and have a poor prognosis. The recognition of the different types of nonunion fractures can enable quick guidance on the best way to act, thus reducing the cost of treatment and the patient's suffering. The objective of this study was to create 3D models of nonunion fractures in long bones (3D NUFs). The study was carried out in three stages: 1) creating biscuit models from representations of nonunion fractures; 2) scanning the biscuit models of nonunion fractures and 3D modeling; and 3) printing and finishing the 3D models of nonunion fractures (hereafter, 3D NUFs). The creation of biscuit prototypes and the respective digitalization were decisive in producing 3D NUFs, which reproduced the main characteristics of each type of nonunion fracture classification described in the literature. It took 31.1 hours to create and print all 3D NUFs using 95.66 grams of filament (ABS) for a total cost of $3.73. The creation of 3D NUFs from the biscuit dough presented a new way of obtaining didactic models for the teaching of veterinary medicine. The 3D NUFs represent the different forms of low-cost manifestations that characterize this disease, which can be used as a possible teaching-learning tool for veterinary education.