In Brazil, the Center for Information Technology Renato Archer (CTI) has really been at the forefront of using 3D printing technology within the medical field. Led by a doctor named Jorge Vicente Lopes da Silva, who is the chief of the Tridimensional Technologies Division at CTI, they have been responsible for making several previously thought to be inoperable surgeries quite possible. In August we covered their contributions in allowing for a very complex brain surgery in a baby, as well as one allowing a 12 year-old girl to have a huge tumor removed from her spine.
Today, Dr. Jorge Vicente Lopes da Silva has informed 3Dprint.com of another recently successful surgery that was made possible thanks to 3D printing technology.
“Some situations in life make us reflect on why we human beings exist, and this story shows a great example of our purpose in this world,” Dr. Silva tells us. “The birth of a baby is always associated with joy, but when plans fall through, there remains a sense of helplessness and dismay.”
“It is a rare congenital Neuro-craniofacial disorder where the skull bones undergo a precocious soldering to each other,” Dr. Silva tells us. “As a consequence, the brain becomes entrapped in an inextensible bone box, which prevents brain growth. This anomaly is considered one of the most complex craniosynostosis and requires a multidisciplinary team in order to perform proper surgical treatment.”
“The 3D technology on 3D printed models provide a view and better understanding of the surgery,” said Dr. Anderson Rodrigo Souza, a neurosurgery team member. “Our next step is the predictive study of surgery on 3D and computer models.”
The surgery was a success, and the child is currently showing signs of improvement, in both neurological and psychological development. Control tomography shows an increasing brain parenchymal as well.
“3D printing enabled the surgical team to accomplish a successful surgery,” explains Dr. Silva. “With a tangible and detailed replica, the surgeons were able to study and recognize complex structures, which would later be used as reference during surgery. The development of a realistic 3D model and its use in surgical planning shows how this technology can help surgeons perform surgeries on diseases previously considered inoperable.”
It seems as though every few weeks a new revolutionary surgery takes place with the help of 3D printed models. It should be interesting to see how much more 3D printing becomes a tool for surgeons in the coming years ahead. What do you think about the success of these surgeons in turning a previously inoperable surgery into a successful one? Discuss in the 3D Printing Saves Infant forum thread on 3DPB.com.