We’re a bit late to this story, but both ENCA and Health24 reported last week on how a team of doctors from the Western Cape have used 3D printing in cranial surgery to repair the skulls of two girls born with disfiguring diseases.
Grace Kabalenga from Zambia and Nigerian Akikere Bassey underwent surgery at Tygerberg Academic Hospital thanks to funding from the World Craniofacial Foundation and Smile Foundation SA. CT scan images of their skulls were sent to the USA to be 3D printed and for implants to be prepared. This transatlantic feat reportedly cost the both organisations nearly R875 000 for materials used for the modelling and the framework alone.
Paediatric neurosurgeon Dr Derek Bruce told reporters that there is a need to push the limits and boundaries of technological advancements to ensure that patients with defects such as those the two girls had have the best possibility of leading a normal life.
“Our work on Grace’s case was groundbreaking, and we are very pleased that we were able to utilise 3D printing in order to bioengineer bone for the surgery.” he added.
You can track Grace Kabalenga’s progress on the WCF Facebook page and donate to help fund her subsequent surgical procedures.
[Main image – CC dfmalan]
