Healthcare
3D Printing in Hospitals Has Saved Children’s Lives
3D Printing in Hospitals
Using 3D printing in hospitals is revolutionizing healthcare. In 2013, only three hospitals worldwide had a 3D printing facility. In 2019, that number increased to 113.
The number of hospitals that use 3D printing technology continues to rise. This is because using 3D printing in hospitals can reduce costs and save lives.
3D printing gives a clear view of surgical margins before surgery is underwent. In fact, this technology has reduced breast cancer re-excision rates by 50%.
How Does 3D Printing in Hospitals Save Lives?
3D printing in hospitals saves lives by allowing surgeons to practice before doing the surgery. When a patient requires complex surgery, 3D printers can create realistic parts of the human anatomy. Surgeons then use these parts for practice to sharpen their skills.
Barcelona-based SJD Children’s Hospital has saved the lives of many children using this method.
“The use of 3D printing in healthcare has represented a fundamental milestone compared to the use of 2D images,” says the head of SJD’s Neurosurgery Department Dr. José Hinojosa Mena-Bernal. “And now Stratasys’ 3D printing technology is taking a further step forward.”
We couldn’t agree more!
How is 3D Printing used in the Medical Field?
3D printing has been used in the medical field to create realistic human anatomy. Doctors use this anatomy to map out the safest routes for executing a complex surgery. These routes may have gone undiscovered if 3D printing technology had not been used.
SJD Children’s Hospital recently saved the life of a nine-year-old boy with an extremely complex and rare disease. The procedure required doctors to remove a malignant tumor. When the doctors looked at the MRI, they thought that they would have to take an invasive pathway to reach the tumour. This invasive pathway would most likely disrupt the spine and would require another surgery afterwards.
However, after the MRI, they decided to explore possible pathways using the 3D model of the anatomy, and what they discovered was amazing!
They discovered a new pathway for reaching the tumour that would keep them from doing another surgery on the boy. This pathway would only need an endoscopic approach through the nostrils.
The doctors managed to avoid contact with any vital organs surrounding the tumour, and no surgery was required afterwards.
Talk about a blast of hope and relief!
The 3D Printing Device Used in SJD Children’s Hospital
The 3D printer used in the SJD Children’s Hospital—the J5 Medijet—is very sophisticated. The color and texture it uses to create a 3D human anatomy replica can even mimic vascular systems. Vascular systems are very thin, and close precision could make all the difference in the world. This makes practice very important for surgeons.
3D printing in hospitals has now become a wonderful reality that will continue to save lives.
IC Inspiration
Imagine the relief of the parents and the young boy after the surgeon tells them that they no longer need to undergo dangerous surgery and that instead, they would be performing a simple procedure.
The difference between 2D and 3D is a single number, but that tiny change is worth as much as the entire world. No number can be used to describe the relief of everyone involved in that situation.
That relief would have only been possible by using 3D printing in hospitals. One can only imagine how many more lives could be made better by using this technology.
Another encouraging thought is the prospect of 3D printing organs for those who need a transplant.
There are more than 100,000 people in the U.S. alone who are on the wait list for organ donation. Imagine a time when they will no longer have to wait to receive a life-saving transplant.
3D printing is an evolving, new technology. It is very likely that in the next decade, 3D printing organs will also become a reality.
But for now, 3D printing in hospitals is a stepping stone. Centres like SJD Children’s Hospital are enhancing health care with every life they save, creating yet another story that is worthy of some inspiring news!
If 3D printing in hospitals sounds good, how does 3D printing on the roadside sound?
3D printing is also being used to create airless car tires for the future. To become part of an inspired community, join our socials below.
