3D-Printing of Contrast-Enhanced Surgical Hernia Meshes

The use of 3D-printing technology within medicine has largely been fuelled by its applications within the surgical specialties. In this article, Dr. Matthew Lee discusses how 3D-printed meshes can enhance the management of hernias!

Dec 2020 News & Views
Author: Dr. M. Lee
Editor: J. Sanghera

Over 1 million hernia repairs are performed annually in the United states, and 3D-printed meshes are increasingly being considered in surgical hernia repairs. Recurrent hernias are predictable based on symptoms and examination, and the positioning of the hernia mesh can help guide suspicions of recurrence and secondary complications following repair. However normal meshes made from nylon and polypropylene are poorly visualised on non-invasive imaging such as CT/MRI.

The capability of 3D-printing technologies to incorporate contrast agents into the printed surgical mesh was assessed through the 3D-printing of mesh structures impregnated with various contrast agents using fused deposition modelling. The stability and visibility were then assessed with CT imaging and placement in agar solution over 7 days.

The meshes were successfully printed and infused. Excellent visibility was demonstrated using all contrast agents, however contrast stability over time was seen only with the barium infused mesh. This suggests a novel contrast-incorporating technique for 3D-printing surgical meshes for repair, that may display future benefits through increased attenuation of anatomical structures, clinical management and printing of anatomical models for simulation.

Coronal view of reconstructed contrast-impregnated meshes vs. control. (Source: Ballard et al.,2013)

Potentially a technology that future surgeons may see increasing use in the operating theatre! This fascinating study can be accessed at: https://threedmedprint.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s41205-018-0037-4