Work

Comparative accuracy evaluation of patient-specific 3D-printed guide and neuronavigation for ventriculoperitoneal shunt in dogs: a dual-phase ex vivo and in vivo study

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background Ventriculoperitoneal shunting (VPS) is an effective treatment for canine hydrocephalus, but complications related to ventricular catheter (VC) misplacement remain a concern. Although neuronavigation improves accuracy, its cost and complexity limit veterinary use. Patient-specific 3D-printed guiding systems (PS-3DGS) offer a potential alternative. Objectives To compare the accuracy and feasibility of PS-3DGS compared to electromagnetic neuronavigation for VC placement in 3D-printed canine cranio-ventricular models (CVMs) and Beagle dogs. Animals and study design Ten 3D-printed CVMs ( ex vivo study) and five experimental Beagle dogs ( in vivo study). Methods VC placement was performed using PS-3DGS and neuronavigation in CVMs and experimental animals. Accuracy was assessed by the distance from the VC tip to the foramen of Monro (DFM), tip coordinates (X, Y, Z axes), tip placement error, intraventricular insertion length (IIL), and catheter contact with the ventricular wall (VVL). Intraoperative procedural time and anatomical variables, including skull and cranial indices, were also analyzed. Results PS-3DGS showed no significant difference in DFM compared to neuronavigation in CVMs and Beagle dogs. PS-3DGS achieved significantly lower VVL and reduced procedural time than neuronavigation in the CVM study ( p = 0.011 and p = 0.039, respectively). In dogs, DFM with PS-3DGS was comparable to both neuronavigation and the ex vivo results. Entry point error correlated negatively with cranial index (r = −0.9, p = 0.037). Conclusion PS-3DGS provided accuracy comparable to neuronavigation while simplifying the procedure. It represents a viable, cost-effective alternative for canine VPS surgery, potentially enhancing catheter placement and reducing complications.

Source: Frontiers in Veterinary Science

DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1665844

Authors: YoungJin Jeon, Cheongwoon Cho, Jaemin Jeong, Björn Meij, Haebeom Lee

Institutions: Chungnam National University, Utrecht University

Language: English

Topic: Anatomy and Medical Technology

Subfield: Biomedical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,801