In terms of complexity, difficulty, and absolute necessity of ample training, the field of neurosurgery comes out near the top. However, the difficulty for most medical students training to become neurosurgeon is the lack of resources/ “venues” to practice on. Most students have the chance to practice on actual cadavers or through online simulations. Aside from that, the only other experience these students may receive is by watching experienced surgeons perform surgeries. The beginners don’t have many opportunities for hands-on experience—mainly due to the extreme risks posed by allowing a novice surgeon to perform surgery on a live human brain—which is crucial for students in order to succeed and be able to perform surgeries on their own. Luckily, there is a new, very efficient option.
Yes, 3-D printing has seem to have made major impacts on many fields, and that includes medicine. The University of Malaya in Malaysia has begun to use realistic 3-D printed heads, skulls, and brains to allow students to gain more hands-on experience with neurosurgery. The 3-D printed models allow for universities to make different types of brains (customized to their exact specificity) for students to practice on. Using different combinations of materials, the 3-D printed skulls and brains can mimic the feel and toughness of real human bone, tissue, membrane, etc. The 3-D printed models can also be modified in order to replicate a specific type of case where neurosurgery is required (e.g. different shapes and sizes of tumors).
One of the other main, and possibly most important, factors pertaining to the benefits of the use of 3-D printed brains, is the accessibility. In many cases, it is difficult—and extremely expensive—for universities to obtain cadavers for students to practice on. In most cases, full cadavers can cost schools anywhere from $1,000 to $200,000. However, with 3-D printing, models are much cheaper to produce and obtain, especially if the University invests in its own 3-D printer. The face and head of a 3-D printed model can cost around $2,000 (but may be reused), while each 3-D printed brain costs roughly around $600. It has also become increasingly difficult for Universities to obtain adequate amounts of suitable cadavers for use in training largely due to the increase in organ donation. Cadavers without their organs are generally not acceptable for use in medical training. That is why the use of 3-D printed models will be extremely efficient; they do not rely on the ever-changing availability of medically suitable cadavers and can be made upon request, as necessary.
3-D printed brains can help significantly decrease costs for universities, provide more resources for use in training in neurosurgery, and increase accessibility of these resources for both universities and students. Overall, when comparing the current methods and the use of 3-D printed brains in neurosurgical training, the decision is a “no-brainer”.
Featured image source: Allan Ajifo
