Design, Fabrication, and Evaluation of 3-D-printed Cystotomy Spoons as a Retrieval Method in Dogs

Authors

Davina C. D'Angelo, University of Arkansas, FayettevilleFollow
Sam E. Stephens, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Morten O. Jensen, University of Arkansas, FayettevilleFollow
Lauren R. Thomas, University of Arkansas, FayettevilleFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-2023

Keywords

urinary bladder; cystotomy; urocystolith; urinary tract-small animal; urinary tract-surgery

Abstract

OBJECTIVE

Current cystotomy methods often implement the use of off-label devices, resulting in urocystolith extraction difficulty and potentially leading to postoperative complications and discomfort for the patient. The objective of this study was to create 3 novel 3-D printed cystotomy spoons that offer a dedicated solution for removing urocystoliths from a patient's urinary bladder.

ANIMALS

Clinical use of the 3 novel 3-D printed cystotomy spoons were ultimately evaluated in 4 dogs and 1 cat that presented for urocystotlith removal at 3 different veterinary hospitals in northwest Arkansas.

METHODS

The novel cystotomy spoons were designed using SolidWorks, 3-D printed with a Dental Surgical Guide resin, and underwent prototype testing that included chlorhexidine soaking, autoclave sterilization, 3-point bend testing, and Finite Element Analysis. The efficiency of the spoons was then evaluated through a limited proof-of-concept study utilizing a postoperative questionnaire for the participating clinicians.

RESULTS

Practitioner feedback indicated positive experiences using 1 or more of the novel 3-D printed cystotomy spoons while performing a cystotomy surgery. However, successful use of the spoons was ultimately limited to dogs in the 23 to 34 kg weight range.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Novel 3-D printed cystotomy spoons have the potential to mediate urocystolith extraction difficulty and reduce postoperative complications. Additionally, this research demonstrates how veterinarians might develop custom 3-D models and prints to meet patient-specific needs. As such, further development could impact the standard of healthcare and the veterinary industry by promoting the use of additive manufacturing in veterinary medicine.

Citation

D'Angelo, D. C., Stephens, S. E., Jensen, M. O., & Thomas, L. R. (2023). Design, Fabrication, and Evaluation of 3-D-printed Cystotomy Spoons as a Retrieval Method in Dogs. American Journal of Veterinary Research, 84 (10) https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.23.02.0038

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License