14 DAY TRIAL // Remember that 3D printed skull that replaced the entire original back in March? It's no longer the only success of that type we can ascribe to 3D printing anymore.
Indeed, a patient from Argentina has had part of his cranium replaced by a 3D printed plate made of titanium.
Performed by Neurosurgeon Dr. Raul Santivañez at the Sanatorio de la Trinidad in Quilmes City, Buenos Aires, the procedure was a great success.
A custom 3D printed prosthesis was implanted in a patient with a dangerous and large defect in his skull fracture. Or “her” skull, since it's not altogether clear what gender said patient is. Confidentiality and whatnot.
NOVAX DMA, a South American company that specializes in medical implants, is the one that made the implant plate itself.
The Trabecular Titanium system was the key, a multi-planar structure based on hexagonal cells that resembles the porous structure of the trabecular bone.
It's a good thing that NOVAX DMA has been working with additive manufacturing technologies (the technical name for 3D printing) for 10 years. Otherwise, they wouldn't have possessed the experience needed to ensure a positive outcome for the recipient.
No doubt, other surgical interventions will follow, now that someone has finally ridden the momentum provided by the first 3D printed replacement skull.