There is something special about a baby’s first cry; that amazing transition from soundless presence to noisy participation is anticipated with excitement by expectant parents. That initial cry of entry was eagerly awaited by Nicole and Chad Bourg as they headed in the operating room. Instead the parents were met with silence after the delivery of their baby.
“I knew she wasn’t crying right and I kept looking at Chad’s face and the doctors kept on going on like everything was fine but I knew something wasn’t right.”
Nicole’s mothering instincts were spot on. The Bourgs’ baby was born with Pierre Robin Syndrome, a defect that caused her lower jaw to be significantly smaller than normal, a cleft palate, and the base of her tongue to be located too far to the back of her mouth. This displacement of the base of her tongue blocked her airway and cut off her cry.
At only ten days old, she underwent an excruciating series of procedures to place a jaw implant that would be adjusted twice daily to stretch out her jaw in two directions. Prior to the surgery, the medical team utilized data gathered from CT scans to create a 3D model of Ella’s skull. They then 3D printed that model and used it to plan and prepare for the day of the surgery. In addition, custom devices were fabricated that would ensure the precision of every cut and each placed screw.
Have you heard of similar uses of implants to help newborns? Join the conversation in the 3D Printed Jaw Implant forum thread over at 3DPBD.com.