Case presented by Dr. F. Stockmans, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Campus Kortrijk, Belgium
It all started when a 58-year-old woman fell, sustaining an intra-articular radius fracture. Her initial treatment consisted of closed reduction and percutanious k-wire fixation. Shortly after the k-wires were removed, the patient began to experience problems moving her wrist and severe pain. By the time she reported this to a doctor, she was already suffering from a complex intra-articular malunion, a condition that is difficult to treat with traditional techniques. Fortunately, the patient then consulted Dr. Stockmans who in turn, collaborated with Materialise to find a solution to her painful situation.
In December, 2011, Prof. Pillip Blondeel headed a team* including 3 other surgeons (Prof. H. Vermeersch, Dr. N. Roche, Dr. F. Stillaert) at the University Hospital of Ghent, to successfully perform Belgium's first full face transplant. The operation was a major step forward as it involved not only skin and muscle but also the major portion of the facial midface skeletal bone, making the world's 19th face transplant one of the most complex procedures carried out so far. The team was able to push the limits of what was possible, in part, thanks to their extensive use of digital imaging and 3D Printing for the planning and execution of the procedure - aided by clinical engineers at Materialise using Synthes ProPlan CMFTM software.
Bioresorbable splint used for first time, successfully stopped life-threatening tracheobronchomalacia, case featured in New England Journal of Medicine
Despite knowing the risks of certain activies, even doctors at times find themselves on the operating table. Bill•, one such doctor and avid sportsperson, suffered 2 years of being unable to enjoy hobbies such as walking and golf because of cartilage damage in his knee. The orthopaedic experts at Materialise, in collaboration with specialists at UZ Gent, created a custom 3D-printed solution for the doctor, preventing total knee replacement surgery and putting the 'active' back into his active lifestyle.
Some say that pets are just like a member of the family, and never is that more true than when they struggle with their health. For Cyrano L. Catte II, his 9 years as a happy and healthy cat hit a snag when he was diagnosed with bone cancer in his left hind leg. Wanting the best for their feline friend, Cyrano's family put him in the hands of innovative surgeons at North Carolina State University who, with the help of Materialise's Mimics Innovation Suite, made Cyrano the first cat to receive a complete 3D Printed knee implant.
A 15 year old Swedish girl was facing a lifetime in a wheelchair because of a congenital disease that left her with a severely deformed left hip joint. Her condition forced her to be home schooled and was causing her a lot of pain. With the Mobelife aMace® implant, she is now pain free, walking without crutches and going back to school like a normal teenager.
Remesh Technology Drastically Reduces File Preparation
3D printed arm presented to Paulo Costa Boa Nova by soccer legend Kaká
The life of a professional sportsman isn't easy, and your future can change with one quick injury. Koen, a young champion windsurfer, was suffering from a long battle with lateral compartment arthritis in his knee that left him unable to continue his athletic lifestyle. Though he had already undergone ACL reconstruction and lateral meniscectomy, they were unsuccessful at getting Koen back into the water. However, thanks to the help of specialized surgical planning tools from Materialise Koen was able to make a full recovery and get back to the sport he loved.
Finding out that you are going to have a baby may be one of the happiest days of your life. Sadly for one family in New York, the joy quickly turned to fear and uncertainty when they found out their baby would be born with a complex form of congenital heart disease. Having already diagnosed the condition in the womb, the doctors at NewYork-Presbyterian/Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital had time to plan how they would save the baby's life before it even began with the support of 3D printing and Materialise's Mimics Innovation Suite of software.
Creating a Complex Orbital Floor Reconstruction with the Mimics® Innovation Suite
