Chuanfeng Liu, Department of Urology, Linyi Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Shandong Province, China
Qian Meng, Department of Clinical Medicine, Shandong Medical College, Shandong Province, China
Weikang Wang, Department of Clinical Medicine, Shandong Medical College, Shandong Province, China
Di Chen, Department of Clinical Medicine, Shandong Medical College, Shandong Province, China
Shouxia Cao, Department of Clinical Medicine, Shandong Medical College, Shandong Province, China
Yongqiang Xia, Department of Urology, Linyi Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Shandong Province, China
Haifang Guan, Department of Clinical Medicine, Shandong Medical College, Shandong Province, China
Objective: To develop personalized 3D-printed testicular prostheses using polypropylene (PP) that closely mimic natural testicles in size, shape, and particularly weight. Methods: Clinical data from two testicular resection patients were analyzed. Reference testicular density (0.99 g/mL) was derived from three specimens (mean weight: 6.67 g, volume: 6.70 mL). Target prostheses (volume: 16.75 cm³, weight: 16.58 g) were modeled through magnetic resonance imaging/computed tomography scans using SolidWorks/Mimics and printed with PP filament on a Bambu X1-Carbon printer. Comparative experiments with polylactic acid (PLA) included power analysis (Pass21 software) to determine a sample size of 14 (seven per group). Weight and density were compared using independent and single-sample t-tests, respectively. Results: Out of five printing trials, three yielded successful PP prostheses with optimized parameters, whereas two failed due to inadequate supports or material overflow. Among the two groups, PP prostheses exhibited a mean weight of 15.41 ± 1.53 g (vs. target: 16.58 g), whereas PLA prostheses were significantly heavier (19.95 ± 0.93 g, p < 0.001). PP density (0.98 ± 0.01 g/mL) closely matched reference testicles (p = 0.062), whereas PLA density (1.23 ± 0.01 g/mL) deviated significantly (p < 0.001). Conclusions: 3D printing with PP could enable the creation of personalized testicular prostheses that meet clinical needs for size, shape, and particularly weight, potentially improving patient satisfaction.
Keywords: Prostheses and implants. Printing. Three-dimensional. Urologic surgical procedures. Male. Polypropylenes.
