The Effect of 3D Heart Modelling on Family Quality of Life and Surgical Success

Introduction and Objective: In recent years, 3D (three-dimensional) modeling has been added to traditional and effective diagnostic methods such as Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and Echocardiography. The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of models created from patients' own radiological images using 3D printing technology in the clinical setting to simulate surgery in the preoperative period and provide preoperative parental education to improve family quality of life and positively influence patient outcomes. Methods: The study is a two-group pretest-posttest randomized controlled study. The children who come to the outpatient clinic examination in a private hospital and who are subjected to Computed Tomography (CT) examination for diagnostic procedures will be modeled in the experimental group, pre-tests will be applied, and the model will be 3D printed after it is approved by the radiologist who is among the researchers. The sample size is 15 experimental group and 15 control group. After the radiologist's approval, surgical simulation and preoperative education will be applied to the experimental group. The control group will receive the same parent education as the standard model. Both groups will complete the Sociodemographic Information Form, Surgical Simulation Evaluation Form - Part I, and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) Family Impacts Module one week prior to hospitalization. Surgical simulation and preoperative education will be completed on the same day. On postoperative day 0, only the Surgical Simulation Evaluation Form - Part II will be applied and on postoperative day 15, the Surgical Simulation Evaluation Form - Part II and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) Family Impacts Module will be applied to both groups as a posttest. Pilot Study and Results: Modeling and 3D printing studies were conducted to carry out the study. A total of four diagnosed and treated patients wer