Titanium skull saved a child from hydrocephalus
A Chinese girl was transplanted with a 3D-printed skull
The original source seems to be here: 3-Year-Old with Extremely Large Head Receives Groundbreaking Skull Replacement Surgery – VM.
A small 3-year-old Chinese woman, Han Han, became the first patient to receive a new skull created using 3D printing technology. (In fact, not the first: a similar operation, however, to a 22-year–old woman, was done in Holland more than a year ago - VM.)
In the case of Han Han, the skull has increased four times compared to the norm. The huge head accounted for more than half of the child's body weight, so the baby was bedridden.
The girl's mother left the family when the child turned one year old, and Han Han's father had to fight alone for his daughter's life. Thanks to the help of friends, acquaintances and strangers who donated money, it was possible to raise the necessary amount for the operation – about 400-500 thousand yuan (about 64-80 thousand dollars).
A CT scan showed that the girl's skull is 80% filled with fluid, and the bones have thinned so much that they threaten to literally burst. Using three-dimensional scanning and printing technologies, the doctors managed to simulate three titanium mesh implants, which were planned to replace the bones of the cranial vault.
During the 17-hour operation, surgeons completely removed the bones of Han Han's cranial vault, after which they slowly pumped out excess fluid through drainage tubes. Then doctors put titanium implants in place of the removed bones.
The operation was successful: the girl opened her eyes and breathed on her own even before she was transported to the intensive care unit. As they mature and grow, the titanium plates will be covered with their own bone tissue, strengthening the upper part of the Han Han skull. Doctors hope for a full recovery and rehabilitation of the girl.
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21.07.2015