To our knowledge, this is the first time that a three-dimensional (3D)–printed model was used as an intraoperative template to recreate the resected portion of the lateral chest wall after resection of a large chest-wall tumour.

Fabrication of 3D-printed models requires collaboration among a surgeon, radiologist, segmenter, and 3D printing centre. Three-dimensional models are created with computed tomographic and magnetic resonance data. These models can provide an accurate guide for surgical resection and can be used intraoperatively as a template to construct tailored prostheses.

We achieved complete resection of the chest wall defect, restored skeletal function and physiologic chest excursion, and achieved the best cosmetic appearance in all cases.

Small- to medium-sized chest wall defects can be repaired with musculocutaneous flaps with or without prosthetic materials, but more complicated defects require increasingly sophisticated reconstructive techniques and technologies. An advanced technique is the use of a 3D-printed model of the chest wall as an intraoperative template.