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. 2025 Apr 11;25(1):519.
doi: 10.1186/s12909-025-07105-x.

The utilization of 3D pelvis model to improve the ability to understand complex anatomy among orthopaedic surgical trainees

Ahmed Al Majarafi  1 , Moosa Al Busaidi  2 , Mohamed Fawzy Kandil  3 , Ahmed Al Hadeethi  3 , Mohammed Al Mutani  3 , Humaid Al Farii  3
Affiliations

The utilization of 3D pelvis model to improve the ability to understand complex anatomy among orthopaedic surgical trainees

Ahmed Al Majarafi et al. BMC Med Educ. .

Abstract

Background: There is growing data and revolution for three-dimensional (3D) model use for multiple purposes included clinical and health professional education. While the 3D model of human body is utilized frequently during surgical procedures with beneficial effects, however, its usefulness for the surgical trainees at their education yet not evaluated.

Objective: To evaluate is the 3D pelvis model helpful for the trainees to improve their ability and to understand complex pelvis anatomy. And the question, Does the hands-on use of a 3D model of a normal pelvis improve the trainee's knowledge of the technical skills to understand complex pelvic anatomy?

Methods: The existing literature had been reviewed using PRISMA guideline and formulated this quantitative design study. The participants have been recruited through local orthopedic residency program. 29 trainees divided into two groups, experimental group with 3D pelvis model and control group without the model, based on their year of training experiences and gender. Both groups have been asked to solve a knowledge test that is created through Delphi process method. As well, all participants requested to read pre-test educational materials.

Results: There were 14 residents at each group (one participant were excluded). The experimental group had higher overall scores than the control group, and specifically better at the anatomy questions subgroup (P value = 0.019, P value = 0.006 respectively). There was not statistically significance difference for the time required to complete the test between the two groups. At our study, we found the females scored higher than males.

Conclusion: 3D model showed the beneficial role among orthopedics trainees to enhance their ability for understanding complex pelvis anatomy. We recommended further studies with well-designed and larger numbers among different surgical subspecialties and/or among different orthopedics sites.

Keywords: 3D printed model; Acetabular fracture; Medical education; Orthopaedic trainees; Pelvic.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: This study was conducted in accordance with the ethical principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki. Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the Sultan Qaboos University Medical Research Ethics Committee and the Research and Innovation Committee of the Oman Medical Specialty Board. Informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to their involvement in the study. Consent for publication: Not Applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Image 1
Image 1
A 3D printed pelvic module with a tumor
Image 2
Image 2
A 3D model of a normal pelvic bone
Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Study methodology flow chart. OMSB: Oman Medical Speciality Board
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
The Bar chart for gender distribution at Orthopedics residency program
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
The Bar chart for the residency level of od the trainee and gender distribution in both groups. PGY: post graduate year. M: male. F: Female
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
The relationship Boxplot in the association between study groups and total scores. It showed the higher scores lined up with the experimental group
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
The relationship Boxplot in the association between the gender and total scores. It showed the females had higher scores at both groups
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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