3D Printing Technology Works Another Miracle: Patient Paralyzed for Years Successfully Treated

3D Printing Technology Works Another Miracle: Patient Paralyzed for Years Successfully Treated

Recently, Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital successfully performed the city's first case of median anterior approach lumbar-sacral vertebrectomy with 3D-printed reconstruction on a patient suffering from leg paralysis due to lumbosacral vertebral tuberculosis. This groundbreaking procedure, leveraging 3D printing technology, has given the patient a new lease on life and signifies a significant advancement for the hospital's orthopedics department in the precise treatment of complex spinal surgeries.

The patient, a 61-year-old woman named Ms. Liu, had been experiencing leg paralysis caused by spinal cord compression due to spinal tuberculosis. After undergoing multiple conservative treatments without significant improvement, Ms. Liu sought further medical help at our hospital upon referral from relatives and friends.

Following a thorough examination, Director Yang Qianzi decided to perform an innovative surgical procedure: the median anterior approach lumbar-sacral vertebrectomy with 3D-printed reconstruction. This anterior approach offers greater compatibility and stability compared to traditional posterior surgeries. Director Yang developed a personalized surgical plan for Ms. Liu, which involved removing the L5 and S1 vertebrae via the anterior approach and implanting a 3D-printed prosthesis for reconstruction and internal fixation.

This case marks Wuwei City's first instance of L5-S1 vertebrectomy and reconstruction using a 3D-printed implant via the median anterior approach. Compared to traditional titanium mesh and plate fixation methods, 3D-printed reconstruction provides superior stability and a better fit. This reconstruction method is set to become a standard treatment within our hospital's orthopedics department.

Director Yang Qianzi emphasized that the success of this surgery relied on the dedicated efforts of the medical team and the support of the hospital's advanced equipment. He also stressed the importance of continuing to explore innovative techniques. Our hospital remains committed to researching treatments for spinal diseases and utilizing advanced medical technologies to benefit more patients.

Red indicates the resection area.

The anterior approach resection of lesions in the lower lumbar and sacral vertebrae was once considered a "forbidden zone of surgery" due to its extreme difficulty and high risk. Director Yang had performed such procedures over a decade ago, but at that time, reconstruction relied on titanium mesh and plates due to the immaturity of 3D printing technology. With the maturation of 3D printing, 3D-printed reconstruction has now replaced traditional methods.

This successful operation also establishes Wuwei Medical College of Cancer Hospital as one of the very few tertiary hospitals in China capable of performing such advanced techniques. It is hoped that 3D-printed reconstruction will bring new hope and confidence to more patients with spinal diseases, and that continued surgical innovations will provide even better medical care in the future.

Preliminary Review: Zhang Lihong  

Final Review: Zhang Jie