Background: In liver transplantation (LT), large-for-size syndrome is not common but can result in fatal outcome. Therefore, we invented cost-effective and time-saving three-dimensional (3-D) printing protocol of LT recipients abdominal cavity to prevent large-for-size syndrome.
Methods: We manufactured 3-D printed abdominal cavity model of patients who were expected to have small abdominal cavity between July 2020 to February 2022. Clinical outcomes were compared between patients using our 3-D model during LT and patients who underwent LT without 3-D model by using 1:5 ratio propensity score-matched analysis.
Results: After matching, total 20 patients using 3-D printed abdominal cavity model and 100 patients of control group were included in this study. There were no significant differences in 30-day postoperative complication (50.0% vs. 64.0%, P=0.356) and the incidence of large-for-size syndrome (0% vs. 7%, P=0.599). Overall survival of 3-D printed group was similar to the control group (P=0.851) but graft survival was significantly superior in 3-D printed group than the control group (P=0.041).
Conclusions: Since it showed better graft survival as well as low cost and short production time, our 3-D printing protocol can be a feasible option for patients with small abdominal cavity to prevent large-for-size syndrome after LT.