3D-printed vertebra used in spine surgery

By Jason Lee

3d spine model 620

Surgeons in Beijing, China, have successfully implanted an artificial, 3D-printed vertebra replacement in a young boy with bone cancer. They say it is the first time such a procedure has ever been done.

During a five-hour operation, the doctors first removed the tumor located in the second vertebra of 12-year-old Minghao's neck and replaced it with the 3D-printed implant between the first and third vertebrae, CCTV.com reported earlier this month.

"This is the first use of a 3D-printed vertebra as an implant for orthopedic spine surgery in the world," said Dr. Liu Zhongjun, the director of orthopedics at No. 3 Hospital, Peking University, who performed the surgery.

The boy was playing football when he headed the ball and injured his neck, and it was later confirmed that he had a tumor, Minghao's mother said.

Prior to the surgery, the patient had been lying in the orthopedics ward for more than two months, and he could occasionally stand up, but only for a few minutes.

Normally, a diseased axis would be replaced by a standardized, hollow titanium tube, Liu told Reuters.

"Using existing technology, the patient's head needs to be framed with pins after surgery," as his head cannot touch the bed when he is resting for at least three months, he explained. "But with 3D printing technology, we can simulate the shape of the vertebra, which is much stronger and more convenient than traditional methods."

Five days after the surgery, Minghao still could not speak and had to use a writing board to communicate. However, doctors said at the time that he was in a good physical condition and they expected him to make a strong recovery.

Source: http://www.cbsnews.com

Recent Posts

The Best (and Worst) Snacks to Survive a Long Shift
Nursing shifts are no joke; 12 hours (or more) on your feet, juggling patient care, documentation, and the occasional code blue. In the middle of all that chaos, snacks become more than just food;...
Read More
The Life-Saving Power of Preventative Nursing Care
In the grand narrative of healthcare, the spotlight often shines brightest on dramatic interventions – emergency surgeries, groundbreaking treatments, and heroic resuscitations. Yet, lurking quietly...
Read More
Disability Pride Month: Honoring History, Empowering Futures
As Nurses, we witness the incredible resilience and unique journeys of individuals every single day. July marks an important occasion: Disability Pride Month. Disability Pride isn't about denying the...
Read More

Subscribe to Email Our Newsletter

Education_Award_Square