Impact of 3D-Printed Models for Surgical Planning in Renal Cell Carcinoma With Venous Tumor Thrombus: A Randomized Multicenter Clinical Trial

PURPOSE: Our goal was to determine whether surgical planning based on 3D models allows for better surgical outcomes than conventional surgical planning in (1) complications, (2) surgical time, and (3) hospital stay. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This multicenter clinical trial (NCT03738488) included 66 patients diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma and venous thrombus extension who underwent nephrectomy with thrombectomy. Patients were randomized 1:1 to (1) surgical planning with conventional images (control group) and (2) surgical planning with 3D-printed models (experimental group). We compared the surgical outcomes of each group in (1) complications, (2) surgical time, and (3) hospital stay. RESULTS: The mean surgical time and the mean hospital stay were similar between the groups, although there were more patients with no ICU stay in the 3D group (17, 52%) than in the image group (odds ratio [OR]: 3.32 [1.16-9.48]). There were more patients without any complications in the 3D group (n = 18; OR: 5.40 [1.16-16.53]), and among those with complications, they were more severe in the imaging group (n = 16; OR: 20.46 [2.33-178.20]). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical planning with 3D printing in renal cell carcinoma and venous thrombus extension compared with conventional planning showed a lower ratio of postoperative complications that helped decrease the ICU stay. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov:NCT03738488.