Woman gets new 3D-printed skull
QMI Agency
Mar 26, 2014 , Last Updated: 12:35 PM ET
Doctors in the Netherlands have replaced a 22-year-old woman's skull with a plastic one made using a 3D printer.
It took doctors at the University Medical Center Utrecht 23 hours to perform the surgery.
The Dutch patient had a condition that caused her skull to thicken.
"The disease manifests itself in the beginning with severe headaches," neurosurgeon Bon Verweij said in a press release.
As the skull thickens, it increases pressure on the brain. In this case, it started to affect the woman's motor skills and her vision.
"It is now almost three months later. The patient has her sight back entirely, is symptom-free, is back to work and it is almost impossible to see that she's ever had surgery," Verweij said.
The doctor said using 3D printing will help other patients who need to have all or part of their skulls replaced.
Volledige kunststof 3D-geprinte schedel geïmplanteerd - YouTube
Woman gets new 3D-printed skull
QMI Agency
Mar 26, 2014 , Last Updated: 12:35 PM ET
Doctors in the Netherlands have replaced a 22-year-old woman's skull with a plastic one made using a 3D printer.
It took doctors at the University Medical Center Utrecht 23 hours to perform the surgery.
The Dutch patient had a condition that caused her skull to thicken.
"The disease manifests itself in the beginning with severe headaches," neurosurgeon Bon Verweij said in a press release.
As the skull thickens, it increases pressure on the brain. In this case, it started to affect the woman's motor skills and her vision.
"It is now almost three months later. The patient has her sight back entirely, is symptom-free, is back to work and it is almost impossible to see that she's ever had surgery," Verweij said.
The doctor said using 3D printing will help other patients who need to have all or part of their skulls replaced.
Volledige kunststof 3D-geprinte schedel geïmplanteerd - YouTube
Woman gets new 3D-printed skull