Current and future role of three-dimensional modelling technology in rectal cancer surgery: A systematic review

Table 2 Application of the three-dimensional modelling technology

Ref.	Pathology	Surgical procedure	Application	Main findings
Kontovounisios et al[10]	Normal pelvis	NA	NA	Feasibility of construction of virtual 3D models of pelvis
Hamabe et al[11]	Normal pelvisRectal cancer	NA	NA	Feasibility of construction of 3D printed models of pelvis and rectal cancer
Sahnan et al[12]	Low rectal cancerUlcerative colitis	TaTME	NA	Feasibility of application of 3D models in surgical planning of TaTME
Przedlacka et al[13]	Rectal cancer T1-T4	NA	Preoperative planning	Feasibility of construction of virtual 3D models of T stages of rectal cancer
Garcia-Granero et al[14]	Locally advanced rectal cancer	TME with en block prostatectomyTotal pelvic exenteration	Preoperative planning	Feasibility of application of a mathematical method to generate 3D models and assess prostate invasion in men with rectal cancer
Garcia-Granero et al[15]	Locally advanced primary and recurrent rectal cancer	Beyond TME	Preoperative planning	Feasibility of application of a mathematical method to generate 3D models and assess CRM status
Sueda et al[16]	Upper rectal cancer	Laparoscopic anterior resection	Preoperative planning	Identification of Retzius venous short circuit prior to laparoscopic anterior resection
Chen et al[17]	Rectal cancer (T3N2Mx)	Laparoscopic-assisted radical resection of rectum	Preoperative planning	Preoperative recognition of situs inversus
Kim et al[18]	Rectal cancer with metastatic LPNs	TME with LPLND	Preoperative planning and navigation	Index LPNs among ICG-bearing lymph nodes can be identified intraoperatively by matching 3D models
Hojo et al[19]	Rectal cancer with metastatic LPNs	LPLND	Preoperative planning and navigation	3D -printed models are useful for surgical planning of LPLND, especially in cases with LPN metastases
Horie et al[20]	Advanced low rectal cancer	TME, tumour-specific mesorectal resection or total proctocolectomy with LPLND	Preoperative planning	3D reconstruction revealed vascular anatomy variations in 40%
Hojo et al[21]	Infra-renal recurrence of colorectal cancer	Curative resection beyond TME	Preoperative planning and navigation	Usefulness of 3D models in surgical planning and navigation for resection of infra-renal recurrence of colorectal cancer, including rectal cancer
Nijkamp et al[22]	Locally advanced primary and recurrent rectal cancer	Resection of tumour	Intraoperative navigation	Feasibility of integration of 3D model into the novel EM- based navigation system
Hassinger et al[23]	Normal pelvic anatomy	NA	Surgical education	VAPS teaches clinically relevant anatomy and is preferred to traditional methods. More detailed model is required
Hojo et al[24]	Lower rectal cancer	Relevant to LPLND	Surgical education	3D virtual and printed models are useful for teaching LPLND
Brannigan et al[25]	Middle and lower rectal cancer	Laparoscopic resection of rectal cancer	Surgical device design	The optimal angulation of a stapling device for transverse rectal transection is between 62º and 68º

TaTME: Transanal total mesorectal excision; TME: Total mesorectal excision; CRM: Circumferential resection margin; LPN: Lateral pelvic sidewall lymph nodes; LPLND: Lateral pelvic lymph node dissection; VAPS: Virtual pelvic anatomy simulator.