Imaging-based 3D-printed anatomical models for preoperative planning in hepatopancreatobiliary surgery: a single-center pilot study, cost analysis, and systematic review

Patient-specific three-dimensional (3D)-printed models are increasingly used to optimize preoperative planning in complex hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) surgery. This single-center study evaluated their anatomical accuracy, clinical utility, cost efficiency, and educational value for surgical planning and training. Three patients with complex HPB lesions (pancreatic head adenocarcinoma, ampullary carcinoma, and giant hepatic hemangioma) were selected based on lesion size (> 3 cm) and suspected vascular or biliary involvement. Imaging data were segmented to produce multicolored 3D-printed models, which were used for preoperative simulation and surgical team training. An educational study was also conducted: 56 medical students were randomized to traditional learning (control) or to learning with a 3D-printed model (experimental) before completing an anatomy quiz. In parallel, a systematic review of the literature up to October 8, 2025, was conducted to evaluate the current evidence on the impact and applications of 3D printing in HPB surgery. All patient-specific 3D-printed models reproduced each patient’s anatomy, including tumors and their spatial relationships to vasculature and bile ducts. Model production required ~ 33 h on average, and material cost was ~ €55 per model. Students exposed to 3D-printed models scored higher on anatomy quizzes, indicating significantly better 3D spatial understanding than controls (p < 0.001). The systematic review identified 14 studies (2014–2024; 218 patients), confirming that 3D printing improves anatomical understanding, surgical planning, and education while remaining cost-effective. Patient-specific 3D-printed models enhance surgeons’ understanding of complex anatomy, enable personalized operative planning, and advance surgical education in HPB surgery, offering a cost-effective, high-fidelity tool with promising clinical and educational impact.