South African Surgery Breaks New Ground With Use of 3D Printing



The Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Gauteng has successfully performed the world's first 3D-printed total middle-ear transplant on two patients.

One patient was born with an underdeveloped middle ear and the second patient, a 35-year-old male whose middle ear was completely damaged in a car accident can hear again.

The middle ear bones (ossicles) used in the procedure were developed by Professor Mashudu Tshifularo and his team and 3D-printing technology was used to print the bones. They effectively replaced the hammer, anvil, stirrup and the ossicles that make up the middle ear.

“By replacing only the ossicles that aren’t functioning properly, the procedure carries significantly less risk than known prostheses and their associated surgical procedures. We will use titanium for this procedure, which is biocompatible. We use an endoscope to do the replacement, so the transplant is expected to be quick, with minimal scarring,” explained
Prof Mashudu Tshifularo. 

"3D technology is allowing us to do things we never thought we could," said Prof Tshifularo, who is head of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology (Ear, Nose and Throat) at UP. "But I need sponsors and funding for this invention to take off the ground.

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