Journal of surgical education
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Do Three-dimensional Visualization and Three-dimensional Printing Improve Hepatic Segment Anatomy Teaching? A Randomized Controlled Study.
Hepatic segment anatomy is difficult for medical students to learn. Three-dimensional visualization (3DV) is a useful tool in anatomy teaching, but current models do not capture haptic qualities. However, three-dimensional printing (3DP) can produce highly accurate complex physical models. Therefore, in this study we aimed to develop a novel 3DP hepatic segment model and compare the teaching effectiveness of a 3DV model, a 3DP model, and a traditional anatomical atlas. ⋯ A novel 3DP hepatic segment model was successfully developed. Both the 3DV and 3DP models could improve anatomy teaching significantly.