Stratasys
Stratasys Patient specific 3D printed surgical guide
Patient-specific anatomical guide 3D printed on the Stratasys Objet30 Prime 3D Printer in MED610.
The University Hospital Basel has achieved a 33% reduction in operating times for complex cranio-maxillofacial surgeries by utilising 3D printed surgical guides.
Harnessing a Stratasys Objet 30 Prime platform, the Swiss hospital has been able to produce patient-specific models in quick time, all the while reducing the risk of complications, improving outcomes, and also saving up to 2,000 Swiss Francs per procedure.
The hospital created its own 3D printing lab upon the installation of the Stratasys machine, and has since enjoyed an enhanced level of patient care. Previously, the team had to plan surgical reconstructions using standard titanium meshes which were cut and formed by hand in the operating theatre to ensure an exact fit – a time-consuming process. Now, around two hours after receiving the patient’s CT scan data, the surgical team can print patient-specific models, and the operation can commence sooner.
“Many of our trauma patients arrive with complex, life-threatening injuries that necessitate the creation of quick and efficient treatment plans,” commented Dr. Florian Thieringer, Department of Cranio and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Basel. “Having access to in-house 3D printing on-demand has simply revolutionised the way we work, most notably for cranio-maxillofacial injuries.”
In addition to the savings of over 2,000 francs per operation, and the more streamlined procedures meaning less time under anaesthesia, the simplification of surgical prep is another key advantage of 3D printing. The ability to have accurate anatomical models means doctors can better understand and better explain procedures. For cases such as a complex orbital floor fracture, the surgical team regularly makes titanium implants.
“With the highly-accurate 3D printed models, standard titanium implants can be shaped individually to create a hybrid patient-specific implant,” explained Dr. Thieringer. “This reduces any cutting and suture time needed during the operation and also reduces the need to source patient-specific titanium implants from external suppliers. Also, thanks to the transparency of MED610 modelling material, we can create highly precise, anatomically correct models. This not only allows us to visualise parts of the anatomy otherwise obscured or limited during surgery, but it also reduces the need for patients to return for revision operations.”
“The University Hospital Basel’s continued advancement of 3D printing within its surgical practice reinforces why it is at the forefront of medical research and development in the region,” said Michael Gaisford, Director of Marketing, Healthcare, Stratasys. “By leveraging precision PolyJet 3D printing for patient-specific anatomical models, the hospital is not only improving patient care, but underpinning the benefit of this technology for reducing operating time, costs and mitigating risks.”
