Background: s/Aims: Three-dimensional (3D) modeling is increasingly used in hepatobiliary surgery to enhance anatomical understanding and operative planning. However, its impact on oncologic outcomes remains uncertain. This study evaluated whether preoperative 3D liver models influence resection margin status and survival after hepatectomy for malignant disease. Methods: In this retrospective case-control study, 59 patients undergoing hepatic resection for malignancy between May 2018 and May 2023 were included. Patients were managed either with patient-specific 3D models (n = 31) or conventional imaging (n = 28). Predictors of R0 resection were analyzed using logistic regression, and overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were assessed using Cox proportional hazards models. Results: R0 resection was achieved in 79.7% of patients, with no significant difference between groups (77.4% vs. 82.1%; p = 0.865). Bilobar tumor distribution (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0.05, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.00–0.76; p = 0.039) and a higher albumin-bilirubin score (adjusted OR 0.06, 95% CI 0.00–0.46; p = 0.029) were independently associated with lower odds of achieving R0 resection.In multivariable analysis, the use of 3D models was independently linked to improved 2-year DFS (adjusted hazard ratio 0.47, 95% CI 0.24–0.92; p = 0.028). Tumor type affected recurrence rates, with hepatocellular carcinoma and other tumors showing a lower risk of recurrence compared to colorectal liver metastases. No significant differences in OS were found. Conclusions Preoperative 3D modeling was not associated with higher R0 resection rates but was independently associated with improved 2-year DFS. Given the retrospective design and potential residual confounding, these findings should be interpreted cautiously and considered hypothesis-generating pending prospective validation.

Background: In animal research, “refinement” refers to modifications of husbandry or experimental procedures to enhance animal well-being and minimize or eliminate pain and distress. Evaluation of drug efficacy in mice models, such as those used to study Trypanosoma cruzi infection, require prolonged drug administration by the oral route (e.g. for 20 consecutive days). However, the orogastric gavage method can lead to significant discomfort, upper digestive or respiratory tract lesions, aspiration pneumonia and even accidental death. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of two administration methods (conventional oral gavage vs. a refined method using a disposable tip and automatic pipette) on the efficacy of benznidazole in a murine model of T. cruzi infection. Results: Both administration methods led to a rapid and persistent reduction in parasitaemia. Absence of T. cruziDNA (evaluated by real-time PCR) in blood, cardiac and skeletal muscle confirmed that treatment efficacy was not influenced by the administration method used. Conclusions The proposed refined method for long-term oral drug administration may be a suitable strategy for assessing drug efficacy in mice models of Chagas disease and can be applied to similar murine infection models to reduce animal discomfort.

Background: In animal research, “refinement” refers to modifications of husbandry or experimental procedures to enhance animal well-being and minimize or eliminate pain and distress. Evaluation of drug efficacy in mice models, such as those used to study Trypanosoma cruzi infection, require prolonged drug administration by the oral route (e.g. for 20 consecutive days). However, the orogastric gavage method can lead to significant discomfort, upper digestive or respiratory tract lesions, aspiration pneumonia and even accidental death. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of two administration methods (conventional oral gavage vs. a refined method using a disposable tip and automatic pipette) on the efficacy of benznidazole in a murine model of T. cruzi infection. Results: Both administration methods led to a rapid and persistent reduction in parasitaemia. Absence of T. cruziDNA (evaluated by real-time PCR) in blood, cardiac and skeletal muscle confirmed that treatment efficacy was not influenced by the administration method used. Conclusions The proposed refined method for long-term oral drug administration may be a suitable strategy for assessing drug efficacy in mice models of Chagas disease and can be applied to similar murine infection models to reduce animal discomfort.