Chinese Surgeons 3D Print a Spine to Help them Maneuver a Difficult Surgery

A recent surgery in China was significantly helped by a 3D printed model that allowed doctors, led by Dr. Mei Wei, at China's Orthopaedic Hospital of Zhengzhou City. A 28-year-old patient had a congenital malformation of her third cervical vertebra, which is an area that calls for a delicate and especially precise touch in surgical settings. A nearly exact replica of the specific area of the patient's spine, created using X-ray and CT scan data, allowed the doctors to rehearse the procedure--which was ultimately a success, accomplished rapidly and with great precision. The patient has already reported improvement post-op. Read more about this impressive use of 3D printing in the medical field in the full article: http://3dprint.com/64550/3d-printed-spine/


Below is a photo of doctors with the 3D printed spine model:
http://3dprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/s32.jpg