Enhancing preoperative planning for colorectal liver metastases: the role of open source 3D reconstruction across different levels of surgical expertise.

BACKGROUND

This prospective study evaluated open-source 3D reconstruction's impact on the preoperative assessment of colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) compared to standard 2D computed tomography (CT), focusing on its role as an "educational equalizer."

METHODS

Thirty physicians, stratified by expertise, evaluated 10 cases of varying complexity. Performance was measured via a standardized scoring system (0-8), execution time, and satisfaction surveys.

RESULTS

3D modeling significantly improved diagnostic accuracy, with median scores increasing from 3.0 to 6.0 (p < 0.001). Mean evaluation time was reduced from 268.5 to 147.5 s (p < 0.001). Notably, Juniors using 3D reached accuracy levels comparable to Specialists using 2D-CT. User satisfaction was significantly higher for 3D reconstruction (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

3D reconstruction reinforces 2D-CT for CRLM planning, enhancing anatomical understanding and reducing cognitive workload. By supporting varying expertise levels, it acts as a useful educational tool for surgical training.