http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11960/2750 2026-08-31T20:38:54Z http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11960/5051 Title: Design of a patient-specific 3D-printed splint for surgical correction of pectus excavatum in a kitten Authors: Reis, Joana; Ovalles, Kervin; Araújo, João; Silva, Fernando; Coelho, Rafael; Gomes, Marco; Simões, José Abstract: Pectus excavatum is a rare congenital deformation of the chest wall. Associated clinical signs depend on the severity of the de formity of the sternum and costochondral cartilages. After thoracic radiographic studies, a patient-specific plastic external splint was designed based on a previously made plaster cast of the chest of the kitten. The splint was designed using 3D scan equipment and data processing to obtain the computer-aided model that was then used to manufacture the splint using 3D printing technology. The surgical application of the customized 3D-printed external splint for the correction of severe pectus excavatum in the young kitten was successful, with excellent tolerance observed postoperatively. After a period of 2 weeks, the splint was removed. Marked improvement of the sternum position was observed, and, more importantly, improvement in dyspnea and ex ercise intolerance was evident. 2026-03-30T00:00:00Z