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Peer-reviewedCC BY-NC-NDBMC surgery

Development and educational evaluation of patient-specific 3D-printed breast phantoms for oncoplastic surgical training.

  • Nada Khaled Mansour1
  • Cecilia Cappelli2,3
  • Ada Cinquerrui4
  • Alberto Bevilacqua5
  • Simone Micalizzi1
  • Pedro Gouveia6,7
  • Giuseppe Catanuto5,4
  • Paolo Oliva1
7 affiliations
  1. 1IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Alessandro Manzoni 56, Rozzano, 20089, Milan, Italy.
  2. 2IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Alessandro Manzoni 56, Rozzano, 20089, Milan, Italy. [email protected].
  3. 3Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 2/4, Pieve Emanuele, 20072, Milan, Italy. [email protected].
  4. 4Humanitas Istituto Clinico Catanese, Catania, Italy.
  5. 5Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 2/4, Pieve Emanuele, 20072, Milan, Italy.
  6. 6Champalimaud Foundation, Lisbon, Portugal.
  7. 7University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal.
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Abstract

Background

Patient-specific 3D-printed breast models provide a high-fidelity, ethically sound alternative to traditional training platforms for oncoplastic surgery. They can improve anatomical understanding and procedural proficiency while reducing reliance on cadaveric specimens. Their reusability and customization potential support cost-effective, sustainable programmes, particularly in resource-limited environments.Methods

Two patient-specific breast models with embedded tumor lesions were fabricated using multimaterial PolyJet 3D printing and silicone post-processing, based on MRI datasets from two patients, one imaged prone and one supine. Six breast and reconstructive surgeons tested the models in a simulated surgical environment, performing training scenarios including mastectomy flaps, tumor excision, and perforator identification, and completed a structured 7-item questionnaire (5-point Likert scale) assessing usability, anatomical realism, educational value, and overall satisfaction; an overall usability metric was derived through a System Usability Scale (SUS)-like calculation.Results

Surgeons reported high satisfaction regarding haptic realism and ease of use, with most items rated 4-5 on the Likert scale. The models enhanced procedural confidence, spatial understanding of breast anatomy, and educational engagement, and yielded a SUS-like score of 71.43, indicative of a positive user experience. Reusability and portability facilitated repeated practice without biosafety concerns, while durability showed greater variability across raters.Conclusions

Patient-specific 3D-printed breast phantoms provide a feasible, ethical, and educationally valuable platform for oncoplastic surgical training. This study suggests their potential to support skill acquisition and standardized training, and to reduce reliance on cadaveric specimens, supporting sustainable, cost-effective and pathology-integrated educational programs. However, larger, outcome-based studies are needed to confirm educational efficacy.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{mansour2026development,
  title = {{Development and educational evaluation of patient-specific 3D-printed breast phantoms for oncoplastic surgical training.}},
  author = {Nada Khaled Mansour and Cecilia Cappelli and Ada Cinquerrui and Alberto Bevilacqua and Simone Micalizzi and Pedro Gouveia and Giuseppe Catanuto and Paolo Oliva},
  journal = {BMC surgery},
  year = {2026},
  month = aug,
  doi = {10.1186/s12893-026-04110-9},
  url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42972498},
  note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Development and educational evaluation of patient-specific 3D-printed breast phantoms for oncoplastic surgical training.
AU  - Nada Khaled Mansour
AU  - Cecilia Cappelli
AU  - Ada Cinquerrui
AU  - Alberto Bevilacqua
AU  - Simone Micalizzi
AU  - Pedro Gouveia
AU  - Giuseppe Catanuto
AU  - Paolo Oliva
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/08/06
JO  - BMC surgery
DO  - 10.1186/s12893-026-04110-9
UR  - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42972498
AB  - Background  Patient-specific 3D-printed breast models provide a high-fidelity, ethically sound alternative to traditional training platforms for oncoplastic surgery. They can improve anatomical understanding and procedural proficiency while reducing reliance on cadaveric specimens. Their reusability and customization potential support cost-effective, sustainable programmes, particularly in resource-limited environments.Methods  Two patient-specific breast models with embedded tumor lesions were fabricated using multimaterial PolyJet 3D printing and silicone post-processing, based on MRI datasets from two patients, one imaged prone and one supine. Six breast and reconstructive surgeons tested the models in a simulated surgical environment, performing training scenarios including mastectomy flaps, tumor excision, and perforator identification, and completed a structured 7-item questionnaire (5-point Likert scale) assessing usability, anatomical realism, educational value, and overall satisfaction; an overall usability metric was derived through a System Usability Scale (SUS)-like calculation.Results  Surgeons reported high satisfaction regarding haptic realism and ease of use, with most items rated 4-5 on the Likert scale. The models enhanced procedural confidence, spatial understanding of breast anatomy, and educational engagement, and yielded a SUS-like score of 71.43, indicative of a positive user experience. Reusability and portability facilitated repeated practice without biosafety concerns, while durability showed greater variability across raters.Conclusions  Patient-specific 3D-printed breast phantoms provide a feasible, ethical, and educationally valuable platform for oncoplastic surgical training. This study suggests their potential to support skill acquisition and standardized training, and to reduce reliance on cadaveric specimens, supporting sustainable, cost-effective and pathology-integrated educational programs. However, larger, outcome-based studies are needed to confirm educational efficacy.
SN  - 1471-2482
ER  -