Trocar shortening for pediatric vitreoretinal surgery with a 3D printed trocar spacer: Report of two cases.

PURPOSE: To show the results of a trocar spacer for pediatric vitreoretinal surgery with a 3D printed trocar spacer in 2 cases. METHODS: We used standard 27 gauge (ga) and 25 ga trocars and cannulae, and prototyped 1.5 mm × 3 mm spacers with a Prusa MK3 3D printer (0.4 mm nozzle) with Fuse deposition melting (FDM) technology. Parts were printed with a 50 µm layer height in polylactic acid or polylactide (PLA). The spacer was placed in two places: between the blade's base and the trocar, and between the trocar and the sclera depending on the desired amount of shortening. This prototype was used in 2 vitrectomy cases in pediatric patients. RESULTS: We used this trocar spacer in 2 cases with positive results. CONCLUSIONS: This 3D printed spacer has proved to effectively shorten the introduced trocar into two different small eyes. More studies are needed to validate the efficacy and safety of this spacer in clinical practice.

Espaciador de trocares para cirugía vitreorretiniana pediátrica utilizando una impresora 3D: reporte de 2 casos / Trocar shortening for pediatric vitreoretinal surgery with a 3D printed trocar spacer: report of two cases

Objetivo Mostrar los resultados de un espaciador de trocares para cirugía vitreorretiniana pediátrica con un espaciador de trocar impreso en 3D en 2 casos. Métodos Utilizamos trocares y cánulas estándar de calibres 27 y 25, y espaciadores de 1,5×3mm prototipados con una impresora 3D Prusa MK3 (República Checa), boquilla de 0,4mm, con tecnología fuse deposition melting (FDM). Las piezas se imprimieron con una altura de capa de 50μm en ácido poliláctico o polilactida (PLA). El espaciador lo colocamos en dos lugares: entre la base de la cuchilla y el trocar, y entre el trocar y la esclerótica según la cantidad de acortamiento deseada. Este prototipo se utilizó en 2 casos de vitrectomía en pacientes pediátricos. Resultados Utilizamos este espaciador de trocar en 2 casos con resultado positivo. Conclusiones Este espaciador impreso en 3D ha demostrado acortar eficazmente el trocar introducido en 2 casos de cirugía vitreorretiniana en niños. Serán necesarios más estudios para validar la seguridad y eficacia de este espaciador en la práctica clínica (AU)

Purpose To show the results of a trocar spacer for pediatric vitreoretinal surgery with a 3D printed trocar spacer in 2 cases. Methods We used standard 27 and 25gauge trocars and cannulae, and prototyped 1.5×3mm spacers with a Prusa MK3 3D printer (Czech Republic), 0.4mm nozzle, with Fuse deposition melting (FDM) technology. Parts were printed with a 50μm layer height in polylactic acid or polylactide (PLA). The spacer was placed in two places: between the blade's base and the trocar, and between the trocar and the sclera depending on the desired amount of shortening. This prototype was used in 2 vitrectomy cases in pediatric patients. Results We used this trocar spacer in 2 cases with positive results. Conclusions This 3D printed spacer has proved to effectively shorten the introduced trocar into two different small eyes. More studies are needed to validate the efficacy and safety of this spacer in clinical practice (AU)