Aug 26, 2015 | By Simon

Although we’ve previously seen hundreds of examples of how 3D printing has dramatically revolutionized some surgical processes, doctors are still finding new ways of using additive manufacturing technologies to find solutions with a myriad of surgical procedures.  

More recently, a six-year-old boy named Xiao Feng - who suffers from osteogenesis imperfecta - underwent a surgical procedure to help solve his problem with the aid of 3D printing. Sadly, there is no known cure yet for osteogenesis imperfecta, a condition that makes bones very brittle and weak to the point of breaking easily. According to the latest statistics, one in 10,000 has the disease and currently there are between 100,000 and 200,000 in China with the disease.

Xiao Feng's first bone fracture occurred years ago in the first week when he was learning how to walk. Since then, his leg has been fractured more than thirty times.  

"Sometimes on the ground he ran, with just a turn, the leg was broke." said his father.

Based on x-rays from doctors, it was clear that the fractures weren’t just happening in one place; they were happening everywhere - specifically around his thighs and calves.    

"To be honest, as soon as he stood up there would be a fracture. " his father said.

Before the surgery

Because of his condition, Xiao Feng was confined to a sitting position on the sofa watching cartoons or crawling around on both hands while holding his body.  However, when he was five years old, his lower limb slowly snapped and he was then unable to stand up again.  

Since Xiao Feng and his family lived in a rural part of China - the Guizhou province - it was difficult for them to seek adequate medical assistance.  Thankfully, in June of this year, a charity called 'Porcelain Dolls' - which focuses on the  "osteogenesis imperfecta" condition - was able to help Xiao Feng get in touch with the Shenzhen Hospital of Orthopaedics at the University of Hong Kong.   

 

Similar to other cases that we’ve seen that use 3D printed replicas of a patient, Xiao Feng’s doctors were able to gain a better understanding of the young boy’s condition than they would have had they gone about it using more traditional imaging methods. Instead they contacted a local Shenzhen company - Aura Laser 3D Printing - to create a 3D scan and ultimately, 1:1 3D printed simulation model of the young boy’s bones based off of a CT scan.  

With the 3D models, the doctors - which included Du Qijun, Huang Demin,  Zhang Xiangyi, Zhou Yapeng and Anesthesiologist Shi Xiaoyong - were able to perform an osteotomy of both lower extremities for Xiao Feng in orthopaedics and intramedullary fixation on June 24th.

The process, which involved accurately repositioning Feng’s legs, included nailing the repositioned bones together with retractable nails that are capable of growing as Feng’s muscles grow.

"If we used the old nails technique, when the child grew, he would need repeated surgery to change to longer nails,” explained Hong Kong University Shenzhen hospital pediatric orthopaedic consultant Du Qijun.   

Just a month after the surgery, doctors were able to remove the hip plaster that was applied to Xiao Feng and he was able to transfer to the Department of Physical Therapy for rehabilitation exercises. After a month of training, the young boy was able to stand slowly at angles of 60° and 90 ° with support.

Xiao Feng's mother hopes her son, now 6 years and 9 months, could be back home soon where he can attend school like other children in his area.  Next up for Feng is continued physical therapy and regular exercise to ensure that he is making the most out of his new set of legs.  

"Every bit of training makes his tendons and muscles are sore but he is very strong - biting his teeth and sticking with it," said his father, proudly. 

In addition to the surgery and rehabilitation Hong Kong University Shenzhen hospital team will also provide Xiao Feng regular injections of bisphosphonate drugs, which will aid in improving his bone density.

Thanks to the generous time and resources donated by the charity and the hospital, Xiao Feng’s surgical expenses were largely taken care of. Otherwise, the cost of ten thousand or RMB would have been a burden for the family.

Because of the nature of his surgery and his newfound ability to walk thanks to 3D printing, it’s no surprise that the doctors have started calling the young six-year-old “Iron Man”.


Posted in 3D Printing Applications

 

 

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