India’s first successful implantation of an artificial 3D printed vertebrae at a Gurgaon hospital allowed a 32-year-old woman to walk again.

An Indian woman suffering from spinal tuberculosis (TB) underwent ten hours of surgery to have her vertebrae replaced with a 3D printed vertebra.

The woman, who is a teacher by profession, was unable to walk. This was because her first, second and third cervical vertebrae had severe damage. The extent of the TB meant there was no skeletal support available between the skull and lower cervical spine.

However, after intense surgery, doctors at Medanta – The Medicity in Gurgaon, India, could successfully implant the country’s first 3D printed artificial vertebrae. Amazingly, the procedure has enabled the woman to walk again, doctors say.

Senior consultant, Dr V Anand Naik, led a team of surgeons in the spine surgery. The doctors used the 3D printed titanium vertebra to bridge the gap between the first and fourth cervical vertebrae.

Dr Naik said: “It was a very complex surgery and the patient’s condition was deteriorating by the day. It would not have been possible to do it without 3D printing technology.”

3D Printed Vertebrae Surgery is First in India

Consultant, head and neck onco-surgeon, Dr Gopal Kumar, said:

“The challenge for our team was to reach high into the neck without altering the position of the patient. The anterior approach and small working field, in cases such as these, are a necessity. As the patient is a singer, preservation of laryngeal nerve was of prime importance. Swallowing, chewing and movement of tongue — all were at risk.”

Before the surgery, Dr Naik and his team used computer software to plan every detail and move they’d make. To do this, the software used high resolution CT and MRI scans of the spine.

A dummy of the spine was 3D printed to measure the surgical resection between the first and fourth vertebrae. Therefore, it was essential that the titanium cage was customised according to the patient’s original spine.

Finally, the 3D titanium implant was printed. It was then tested further for biomechanics and stress risers. Input from design teams in India, Sweden and the USA were also extremely useful during this process. 

The hospital explains that the woman is recovering fast. Doctors also go as far as claiming that she will be able to lead a risk-free life in just two weeks.

Dr SKS Marya, chairman of the Institute of Bone and Joint, said: “Our team of doctors has introduced a path-breaking solution in a complicated case such as this.”

Source: Hindustan Times