Apr. 9, 2015 | By Alec
It’s no secret that 3D printing has a lot of potential in the medical field. In recent weeks we’ve reported on a number studies looking to develop bio-printed skin tissue, organs; the possibilities are seemingly endless. But while most of these studies will take years to produce working medical results, there are other 3D printed medical applications that are already saving and changing lives right now. Most significantly: anatomical models that can be used to help surgeons prepare for risky operations.
We are especially very happy to see these 3D printed models being used to give young children a good start for their lives to come, as they recently did for the two-year-old Violet Pietrok from Portland, Oregon. This little girl was born with a serious congenital facial deformity called frontonasal dysplasia. This is an extremely rare condition of which only a hundred cases have been previously conditioned. It even left the young and cheerful Violet unable to smile.
Violet before surgery.
Specifically, frontonasal dysplasia causes the widening of facial features, especially the region between the eyes. As you can see in the photos above, it cased Violet’s vision to resemble that of a bird’s. There was no cartilage in her nose, while she also had a very large central cleft in her face, and a growth over her left eye. Now most of these complications can be dealt with through cosmetic surgery, but due to the seriousness of these deformities that was projected to be a lengthy and dangerous operation – not something you’d want a young girl to undergo.
And after.
Fortunately, plastic surgeon-in-chief Dr. John Meara of Boston Children's Hospital had a 3D printer nearby to help him prepare properly. Meara developed five different molds of Violet’s skull, based on CT scans. These 3D printed replicas of the skull allowed the surgeon to completely plan all the cuts and incisions necessary during surgery, highlighting potential problems long before they can occur. This planning process took months, starting with molds based on scans made at the time of Violet’s first birthday, and others taken throughout the rest of the year. ‘This isn't like free throw practice,’ the surgeon told reporters. ‘You can't just go out and try and if you miss, try again. For Violet, I actually modified my osteotomies [bone cuts] based on something that I was able to see happening in the model.’
Watch Dr. Meara talk about the benefits of 3D printing here.
Despite that preparation, Violet was still in surgery for almost seven hours, during which the surgeon repeatedly referenced to the 3D printed molds. ‘The value of the model like this is huge," Meara said revealed. ‘This gives me the ability to see on this model better than I will in the operating room.’ And the results are definitely worth it. The two-year-old Violet can now smile, laugh and dance and be her cheerful self again, six months after surgery took place. Her mother Alicia Taylor told reporters that violet’s face can now be just as expressive as any of the other childrens’ faces.
A skull fresh on the 3D printer (above) and dr. Meara analysing the models.
However, the road to recovery was a long one. It took more than six weeks for all functions returned. There were some complications as well, which forced Violet to undergo a new round of surgery as a scar threatened to unzip. But her stitches were finally removed three months later, just in time for the girl’s second birthday. ‘I have high hopes for her,’ surgeon Meara concludes. ‘She is so bright -- in both personality and cognitive ability. I will want to see her and follow up on her progress every year.’
It did, however, take her mother a while to get used to her daughter’s appearance. ‘It's all about perspective, cause it gets hard,' she said ‘You just kind of have to see the finish line and keep an eye on where you're going and why you're doing this. I was so worried that they were going to take her and she was going to be unrecognizable,' she told ABC News. 'I miss that little face because you love it.’
Since then, it’s been nothing but smiles in Violet’s home. According to mother Taylor, her daughter has been very cheerful throughout the ordeal and is always laughing and cheerful. While further cosmetic touch-ups will be necessary throughout the coming years, Taylor is convinced it will be worth it in the long run. ‘This will make a huge impact with her quality of life and the way people perceive her,' she said.’ It just goes to show what impact a single 3D printer can have.
Posted in 3D Printing Applications
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Pray that she is gonna be alright. She is a tough 2 year old. It is amazing how technology is these days. She is so beautiful. Prares to her family. (oo) (() ) ( U) i( )i LL
Diego R. wrote at 4/9/2015 4:39:24 PM:
Being a father of a little girl too, that's some touching news. And it's amazing o know that 3D printing tech can help those in need. Great progress, contratulations to all involved. And long life and smiles for Violet.
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