SP3.04 Sustainable Biodegradable Plant-Based 3D-Printed Surgical Tools: Advancing Medical Training

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Abstract Aims Traditional surgical instruments are costly and environmentally unsustainable, while 3D-printed alternatives face barriers like reliability concerns. This study evaluated plant-based biodegradable 3D-printed instruments as affordable, eco-friendly tools for medical education, assessing their potential to reduce training costs and improve accessibility without compromising functionality. Methods Mayo-Hegar needle holders and Adson tissue forceps were designed using Dassault Systems SolidWorks, fabricated from polylactic acid (PLA) via EOS EOSINT P 390 and SOVOL SV01 PRO 3D printers, and tested for cost and durability. 18 medical students and 2 surgical residents completed the ACS/APDS “Module 3: Suturing” curriculum, divided into groups using traditional or 3D-printed instruments. Performance was evaluated based on task completion time, error rates, and instrument failure during/post-training. Results Production costs were $0.7 per needle holder and $0.4 per forceps, with no functional or cost differences between printers. Both groups showed comparable task completion times (p=0.34) and error rates (p=0.21). No instruments failed during training, though 9/72 (12.5%) broke under rigorous stress testing. Conclusions PLA-based 3D-printed instruments offer a sustainable, low-cost alternative for surgical training, performing equivalently to conventional tools in educational settings. While durability under extreme conditions requires further study, their affordability and biodegradability make them promising for reducing institutional expenses and plastic waste in medical education. Strategic integration into curricula could democratize access to surgical training globally, particularly in resource-limited settings.

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