Application of 3D‐Slicer combined with 3D printing technology in training neurosurgery resident physicians' imaging spatial cognition and clinical reasoning: A self‐controlled before‐ and after‐study
- 1Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities Baise Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region China
- 2Key Laboratory of Biomedical Material Research of Guangxi (Cultivation) Baise Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region China
Abstract
Neurosurgical residency training requires advanced spatial cognition and 3D anatomical understanding, which traditional methods often fail to adequately develop. This study evaluated a novel educational model integrating 3D Slicer and 3D printing technology to enhance imaging spatial cognition and clinical reasoning among neurosurgery residents. In a self‐controlled before‐ and after‐trial, 25 neurosurgery residents completed a 12‐week training program involving 3D Slicer reconstruction and 3D printing of clinical cases. Core competencies were assessed at baseline (T0) and post‐intervention (T1) through theoretical tests, spatial anatomical recognition tasks, and clinical case analysis. Subjective feedback was collected via a structured survey. Participants showed significant improvements in all assessment domains (p < 0.001). Spatial anatomical recognition scores increased by 16.96 points (from 67.12 to 84.08), clinical case analysis by 13.10 points (from 69.94 to 83.04), and theoretical knowledge by 12.32 points (from 72.32 to 84.64). Subjective evaluations indicated that 100% of residents reported moderate or significant improvement in 3D anatomical comprehension, spatial visualization, preoperative planning confidence, and proactive problem‐solving. The integrated 3D Slicer and 3D printing training model effectively enhances spatial cognition, clinical reasoning, and active learning in neurosurgical education. It offers a scalable, clinically relevant approach to bridging the gap between 2D imaging interpretation and 3D surgical planning, supporting the transition from training to independent practice.
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BibTeX
@article{xueyu2026application,
title = {{Application of 3D‐Slicer combined with 3D printing technology in training neurosurgery resident physicians' imaging spatial cognition and clinical reasoning: A self‐controlled before‐ and after‐study}},
author = {Li Xueyu and Fan Yuanxian and Chen Jiaxing and Li Chuanyu and Chen Yuanbiao and Huang Haineng and Huang Huadong and Luo Kunxiang and Wei Shiyin and Tan Rong},
journal = {Anatomical Sciences Education},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.1002/ase.70321},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1002/ase.70321},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Application of 3D‐Slicer combined with 3D printing technology in training neurosurgery resident physicians' imaging spatial cognition and clinical reasoning: A self‐controlled before‐ and after‐study
AU - Li Xueyu
AU - Fan Yuanxian
AU - Chen Jiaxing
AU - Li Chuanyu
AU - Chen Yuanbiao
AU - Huang Haineng
AU - Huang Huadong
AU - Luo Kunxiang
AU - Wei Shiyin
AU - Tan Rong
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/13
JO - Anatomical Sciences Education
DO - 10.1002/ase.70321
UR - https://doi.org/10.1002/ase.70321
AB - Neurosurgical residency training requires advanced spatial cognition and 3D anatomical understanding, which traditional methods often fail to adequately develop. This study evaluated a novel educational model integrating 3D Slicer and 3D printing technology to enhance imaging spatial cognition and clinical reasoning among neurosurgery residents. In a self‐controlled before‐ and after‐trial, 25 neurosurgery residents completed a 12‐week training program involving 3D Slicer reconstruction and 3D printing of clinical cases. Core competencies were assessed at baseline (T0) and post‐intervention (T1) through theoretical tests, spatial anatomical recognition tasks, and clinical case analysis. Subjective feedback was collected via a structured survey. Participants showed significant improvements in all assessment domains (p < 0.001). Spatial anatomical recognition scores increased by 16.96 points (from 67.12 to 84.08), clinical case analysis by 13.10 points (from 69.94 to 83.04), and theoretical knowledge by 12.32 points (from 72.32 to 84.64). Subjective evaluations indicated that 100% of residents reported moderate or significant improvement in 3D anatomical comprehension, spatial visualization, preoperative planning confidence, and proactive problem‐solving. The integrated 3D Slicer and 3D printing training model effectively enhances spatial cognition, clinical reasoning, and active learning in neurosurgical education. It offers a scalable, clinically relevant approach to bridging the gap between 2D imaging interpretation and 3D surgical planning, supporting the transition from training to independent practice.
SN - 1935-9772
SN - 1935-9780
ER -