Mr. Wu (pseudonym), a 27-year-old citizen of Shenzhen, received a 3D printed titanium finger bone prosthesis at the Southern University of Science and Technology Hospital to regain a normal-looking and functional finger and his self-confidence after the surgical removal of a bone tumor in his finger.
Only 1 cm of finger bone left after bone tumor removal
According to Mr. Wu, more than 9 months ago, he had a bone tumor on his left index finger and underwent surgery to remove it in another hospital. The surgery amputated most of the bone segment of his left index finger, and the doctor gave him a temporary bone cement filling reconstruction surgery at that time. After the surgery, Mr. Wu's left index finger could not be flexed and extended, and was gradually deflected to the side of the middle finger, and atrophied and thinned significantly, shortening by 2 cm compared with the previous surgery.
How to solve the problem of bone defect of the finger? Mr. Wu learned that the traditional surgery was to take the patient's own iliac bone or other parts of the bone for implantation, but considering that he was only 27 years old and taking a large piece of his own bone, this procedure might affect his future life, he wanted to find a solution that would cause less damage.
After many inquiries, Mr. Wu came to the Southern University of Science and Technology Hospital by name. Director Zhao Dongsheng of the Department of Traumatic Orthopedics, Department of Orthopedic Medicine and Pei Yanjun, Vice Director of 3D Printing Medicine, carefully studied and developed a detailed surgical plan for 3D printing titanium finger bone prosthesis to solve the problem of bone defect. The surgery involved removing the original bone cement and replacing it with a 3D printed titanium finger bone prosthesis. The difficulty of the surgery was that the residual bone segment of Mr. Wu's left index finger was very short, less than 1 cm, and the fixation and healing of the prosthesis and the residual bone surface were not easy.
Mr. Wu, who has a master's degree in materials science, highly agreed with the surgical plan proposed by Director Dongsheng Zhao, who knew that the titanium alloy prosthesis was well suited for biologic implantation. After perfecting the preoperative preparation, the surgery was performed by Director Zhao Dongsheng and Director Zheng Muping under general anesthesia and took 2 hours to complete successfully. After the surgery, Yanjun Pei, Vice President of 3D Printing Medicine, customized a 3D printed brace for Mr. Wu to fix and protect his finger, and Mr. Wu came to the clinic for regular review. Currently Mr. Wu is satisfied with the shape of his finger and is recovering function. It usually takes more than 3 months for a human fracture to heal, and it may take longer for a 3D printed prosthesis to heal, during which time the protection of the brace and proper functional exercises are important. Mr. Wu's finger is expected to gain function to meet his daily needs.
This type of patient is suitable for 3D printed prosthesis implantation
According to Director Dongsheng Zhao, 3D printed prosthesis implantation is suitable for individualized special sites and larger bone defects, with the advantage that it does not require taking own bone tissue and is not limited by the existing prosthesis in the market, and can be personalized and printed according to the actual condition of the patient's bone defect. The Department of Orthopedic Medicine of Southern University of Science and Technology Hospital has considerable advantages in 3D printed prosthesis implantation, which is a key medical specialty in Nanshan District, and the head of the discipline is the advocate, promoter and leader of digital orthopedic science in China. It is reported that the Southern University of Science and Technology Hospital was approved to set up the Guangdong Hong Kong and Macao Intelligent Medical Innovation Institute of Southern University of Science and Technology, with four departments including the Department of 3D Printing Medicine, which has the unique advantages of intelligent and digital surgery.
