Stratasys, Minneapolis, announces that its PolyJet 3D printing technology is helping to improve life-changing maxillofacial surgeries at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, England, by 3D printing customized models for pre-surgical preparation, thus enabling a reduction of up to 93% in surgical planning time associated with standard anatomical models. Furthermore, the hospital reports that three to four hours are saved in surgical time per surgery, and costs are reduced by up to $26,000 per operation.
Having previously outsourced its 3D printing requirements, implementing an in-house 3D printer, with the help of Tri-Tech 3D, has revolutionized pre-surgical procedures across a number of departments. This includes the maxillofacial (face and jaw); burns and plastics; ear, nose and throat; and neurosurgery units.
“The ability to produce lifelike medical models in-house on our Stratasys 3D Printer saves around three to four hours in operating room time per surgery, which at a cost of $6500 an hour of operating room time, is quite a substantial cost saving,” explains Stefan Edmondson, Consultant Maxillofacial Prosthetist at the hospital.
Most of the patients currently benefiting from the hospital’s 3D printing capability are trauma and cancer patients, typically those with facial or cranial tumours. The maxillofacial prosthetic team converts patients’ CT scans into highly accurate 3D printed replica models, bone replacement parts, or metal prosthetic plates that are customized to the exact specification of each patient.
In addition, Stratasys PolyJet 3D printing allows surgeons to practice surgeries on true-to-life 3D-printed anatomical models. This provides invaluable insight into procedural outcomes and helps minimize risks. The unique properties of Stratasys’ materials are also integral to the process, with the VeroWhite material providing a smooth, high resolution finish ideal for accurate anatomical models. This provides an invaluable reference material throughout operations.
