With the recent development of computer technology, 3D printer enables making an accurate model of CT or MRI. Recently, three-dimensional models of full-scale organs have been used for surgical simulations. In particular, they are useful in maxillofacial surgeries. However, these models were previously monochromatic, which made it difficult to discern the boundary between normal tissues and tumor tissue. We colored the tumor parts in the three-dimensional models, which made surgical simulation easier. In 2 cases, one each of maxillary chordoma and nasal cavity cancer, we performed surgical simulation using three-dimensional models with the tumor parts in color. This enabled more reliable resection with a minimum length of the external incision as compared to that achieved previously using monochromatic models. Three-dimensional models of full-scale organs with the tumor parts in color are useful for grasping complicated three-dimensional structures and reliable resection.
