Design, development and multi-institutional validation of a low-cost 3D-printed liver transplant simulator

Abstract

Objective: Our team set out to design and develop a low-cost 3D-printed liver transplant simulator. Design: The simulator comprises a 3D-printed recipient body cavity and the filled-fabric liver. Results: Validators perceived the model as valuable to education, noted that they would use the model at their institution and desired to integrate the model into their curriculum. In addition, the simulator was rated highly for ease of use (3.6/4), physical attributes (3.2/4) and user experience (4.4/5). Conclusion: The low-cost 3D-printed simulator for liver transplantation was highly rated in a multi-institutional validation and supports the use of simulation models in transplant surgery.