Multi-modal 3D Simulation Makes the Impossible Possible

Abstract

Summary: B.Y. was born full term after a large vertex encephalocele was diagnosed prenatally. The unique challenge to repairing B.Y.’s encephalocele was a microcephalic skull and large proportion of likely functional extracranial brain tissue, which would need to be preserved. At Boston Children’s Hospital, a simulation-based collaborative presurgical planning and rehearsal process, using both digital and 3D printed models, enabled successful technical completion and outcome of an otherwise inoperable case.