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| 3D printing to rebuild patient's face at Morriston Hospital | 3D printing to rebuild patient's face at Morriston Hospital |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Surgeons in Swansea are using groundbreaking 3D printing technology to rebuild a patient's face which was crushed in a motorbike accident. | |
| The team at Morriston Hospital has used CT scan images to design titanium implants created by a 3D printer. | |
| The use of this method for injury-related reconstructions is thought to be among the first in the world. | |
| It is being featured in an exhibition at the Science Museum in London before the operation itself is carried out. | It is being featured in an exhibition at the Science Museum in London before the operation itself is carried out. |
| There have been cases using custom-made titanium implants to correct congenital conditions, those which arise at birth or shortly after. | There have been cases using custom-made titanium implants to correct congenital conditions, those which arise at birth or shortly after. |
| However, this is thought to be one of the first such reconstructions following an injury. | However, this is thought to be one of the first such reconstructions following an injury. |
| It is being led by Morriston Hospital consultant maxillofacial surgeon Adrian Sugar. | |
| Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board's maxillofacial laboratory services manager and reconstructive scientist Peter Evans said: "The patient suffered trauma and had multiple injuries across his body, including some quite severe facial injuries. | Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board's maxillofacial laboratory services manager and reconstructive scientist Peter Evans said: "The patient suffered trauma and had multiple injuries across his body, including some quite severe facial injuries. |
| "He underwent emergency surgery at the time and we are now at the stage where we can do a proper reconstruction of his face." | "He underwent emergency surgery at the time and we are now at the stage where we can do a proper reconstruction of his face." |
| The project is the work of the Centre of Applied Reconstructive Technologies in Surgery (Cartis). | The project is the work of the Centre of Applied Reconstructive Technologies in Surgery (Cartis). |
| The centre was established in 2006 as a partnership between Morriston Hospital's maxillofacial unit and Product Design and Research (PDR) based at Cardiff Metropolitan University. | The centre was established in 2006 as a partnership between Morriston Hospital's maxillofacial unit and Product Design and Research (PDR) based at Cardiff Metropolitan University. |
| Cartis aims to make Wales a world leader in the research, development and application of advanced medical technologies in surgery. | Cartis aims to make Wales a world leader in the research, development and application of advanced medical technologies in surgery. |
| Mirror image | Mirror image |
| Mr Sugar and Mr Evans worked with PDR's Sean Peel and Ffion O'Malley to plan the complex surgery, which will involve repositioning the patient's facial bones. | Mr Sugar and Mr Evans worked with PDR's Sean Peel and Ffion O'Malley to plan the complex surgery, which will involve repositioning the patient's facial bones. |
| They worked from a CT scan that allowed them to create a mirror image of the unaffected side of the patient's face. | They worked from a CT scan that allowed them to create a mirror image of the unaffected side of the patient's face. |
| From this they designed guides to cut and position the bones with pinpoint accuracy, as well as implants tailor-made for the patient. | From this they designed guides to cut and position the bones with pinpoint accuracy, as well as implants tailor-made for the patient. |
| The guides and implants are being produced from medical-grade titanium in Belgium, at one of the world's few specialist 3D printing facilities. | The guides and implants are being produced from medical-grade titanium in Belgium, at one of the world's few specialist 3D printing facilities. |
| Mr Evans added: "We have done everything up the point of surgery. The concept of the operation has been virtually designed and we hope to do the work very soon. | Mr Evans added: "We have done everything up the point of surgery. The concept of the operation has been virtually designed and we hope to do the work very soon. |
| "The patient's facial symmetry will be restored so he should be back to normal as far as his facial looks are concerned." | "The patient's facial symmetry will be restored so he should be back to normal as far as his facial looks are concerned." |
| The Swansea project is featured in an exhibition called 3D: Printing The Future at the Science Museum in London until July 2014. | The Swansea project is featured in an exhibition called 3D: Printing The Future at the Science Museum in London until July 2014. |