A Spanish cancer patient is the first person in the world to receive a titanium 3D-printed sternum and rib cage, designed and manufactured by an Australian company.
The 54-year-old needed his sternum and a portion of his rib cage replaced.
The CSIRO said chest prosthetics were notoriously tricky
to create due to the complex customised geometry and design for each patient.
Thoracic surgeons typically use flat and plate implants in the chest, but they can come loose over time and create complications, the CSIRO said.
A 3D-printed implant was a safer option for the patient because it can identically mimic the intricate structures of the sternum and ribs.
Almost a fortnight since the surgery, the CSIRO confirmed the patient was discharged and had recovered well — via redwolf.newsvine.com
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