Australian neurosurgeon implants 1st 3D-printed vertebrae in cancer patient: 5 things to know

Australian neurosurgeon Dr. Ralph Mobbs, of the Sydney Spine Clinic, implanted the first three-dimensional printed vertebra into a cancer patient, according to Daily Mail.

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Here are five things to know:

 

1. The patient has chordoma, a cancer that destroys the bones of the spine and skull.

 

2. The tumor was situated at the top of two vertebrae, so Dr. Mobbs requested a custom three-dimensional printed body part to replace the cancer vertebrae.  

 

3. During the 15-hour surgery, Dr. Mobbs removed the tumor and implanted the three-dimensional printed piece.

 

4. The three-dimensional printed piece stabilized the area where the patient’s head met the neck.

 

5. Victoria, Australia-based Anatomics created the patient’s three-dimensional vertebrae replacement.

 

More articles on spine:
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Clinical Neuroscience Institute welcomes Dr. Jonathan Tuttle: 3 notes
Spine surgeon leader to know: Dr. James Kang of Brigham and Women’s Hospital

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