In Israel, a woman's arm was saved with the help of a 3D-printed bone prosthesis

In Israel, a complex reconstructive surgery was performed, during which an elderly woman's shoulder integrity was restored using a custom titanium implant created through three-dimensional printing technologies. The intervention was necessary after the removal of a malignant tumour from the scapula.

Several months ago, a pathological formation was detected in the scapula of a 72-year-old patient, which connects the humerus to the clavicle. A biopsy confirmed the malignant nature of the tumour, and the doctors decided to remove it as soon as possible to prevent the spread of cancer cells throughout the body. However, a problem arose: after a detailed analysis of the MRI images of the affected bone, it became clear that resection of the formation to the required extent would lead to significant damage to the shoulder joint, resulting in the woman being unable to use her arm – the limb would become non-functional.

Israeli doctors, known for never backing down from difficult situations, found a solution this time as well. They decided to print the necessary bone implant for subsequent reconstruction on a 3D printer – this involved creating a custom model of the prosthesis that would fully match the anatomical features of the patient.

“We opted for this option because it allowed us to remove the cancerous formation while preserving the integrity of the shoulder joint, and thus the functionality of the arm,” explained Professor Yakov Bikels, head of the orthopedic oncology department, who planned and performed this complex intervention. “Three-dimensional printing technologies have become a real breakthrough in the field of oncological surgery.”

The 3D-printed custom titanium implant significantly facilitated the surgery and helped avoid possible complications. The intervention was successful, and the woman is currently undergoing rehabilitation according to a specially designed program – within a few months, as the doctors promise, the functionality of the operated arm will be fully restored.

What is the essence of the method

First, using a special computer program, which uploads images taken during computed and magnetic resonance tomography, accurate three-dimensional models of the tumour and the affected organ are created. They allow specialists to precisely plan the upcoming intervention: to establish the boundaries of excision of the cancer mass and to determine the most suitable shape of the prosthesis for subsequent reconstruction of the removed tissues.

The software then creates a file that is sent to the 3D printer, which begins layer-by-layer printing of the custom implant. The process can take from eight to twelve hours, depending on the size of the prosthesis and the chosen material.

This approach allows for the most precise resection of the formation since the surgeon's actions are not limited by the parameters and structure of a standard factory implant. They confidently remove the necessary volume of tumour tissue, knowing that the integrity of the damaged organ can be restored with a custom-made prosthesis that fully matches the anatomical characteristics of the specific patient.

“Today, the use of three-dimensional printing technologies is the only way to create implants with complex shapes and textures that are exact copies of the required part of the body,” says Professor Bikels. “Currently, several companies in Israel are providing 3D printing services.”.