STRATASYS: 3D-PRINTED TAILORED SURGICAL GUIDES HELP IMPROVE CRANIOMAXILLOFACIAL TUMOUR SURGERY

Stratasys has shared that the University Hospital Birmingham in England is delivering improved outcomes for head and neck cancer patients, with the hospital reporting reduced surgery times of up to three hours through the use of tailored, 3D-printed cutting guides.

This success is attributed to the integration of a Stratasys J5 MediJet™ 3D printer that enables the hospital to create highly accurate, patient-specific cutting guides ahead of operations, transforming the way tumours are removed from head and neck cancer patients. Previously, these would have been created by cutting and bending a piece of metal by hand while the patient was on the operating table, resulting in a time-consuming process with a large margin for error.

Using 3D printing, the surgical team can now produce highly accurate devices using patient scans, with a resolution of within 150 microns, helping to support surgical outcomes. These are produced in Biocompatible Clear MED610™; a rigid, transparent resin suitable for applications requiring long-term contact (more than 30 days) with intact skin and limited contact (up to 24 hours) with tissue, bone or mucosal membranes.



3D printing enables virtual surgical planning, enabling surgery predictions and a better transplant fit for the patient. (Photo: Business Wire)

According to the hospital, taking a segment of a patient’s fibula and moulding it into the exact shape and size to transplant into the target area within the head or neck, while ensuring bone tissue is kept alive, is a highly complex process in which 3D printing really demonstrates superior capabilities over conventional methods.

Launched in 2021, the J5 MediJet™ gives users the ability to create multi-material, full-colour prints in a single tray. Hosted in a single office-friendly platform, which reduces outsourcing costs or the need for multiple printers, the system is built to maximize reliability and simplify maintenance.