Three-Dimensional Printing, Virtual Reality and Mixed Reality for Pulmonary Atresia: Early Surgical Outcomes Evaluation

Background Single-stage unifocalisation for pulmonary atresia (PA) with ventricular septal defect (VSD) and major aortopulmonary collateral arteries (MAPCA) requires a high degree of three-dimensional (3D) anatomical imagination. A previous study has reported the application of a 3D-printed heart model with virtual reality (VR) or mixed reality (MR). However, few studies have evaluated the surgical outcomes of the 3D model with VR or MR in PA/VSD patients. Methods Three-dimensional (3D) heart models of five selected PA/VSD patients were derived from traditional imageology of their hearts. Using VR glasses, the 3D models were also visualised in the operating room. Both the 3D-printed heart models and preoperative evaluation by VR were used in the five selected patients for surgical simulation and better anatomical understanding. Mixed reality holograms were used as perioperative assistive tools. Surgical outcomes were assessed, including in-hospital and early follow-up clinical data. Results The use of these three new technologies had favourable feedback from the surgeons on intraoperative judgment. There were no in-hospital or early deaths. No reintervention was required until the last followup. Three (3) patients developed postoperative complications: one had right bundle branch block and ST segment change, one had chest drainage >7 days (>40 mL/day) and one had pneumonia. Conclusion The preoperative application of a 3D-printed heart model with VR or MR helped in aligning the surgical field. These technologies improved the understanding of complicated cardiac anatomy and achieved acceptable surgical outcomes as guiding surgical planning.