first time in Tuscany, it's a record

For the first time in Tuscany, a 3D printed vertebra has been implanted. This is a Pisan disc that allowed a man with a primary bone neoplasm affecting the third lumbar vertebra to recover the malignant lesion. But let's see what the operation was and how they made the vertebra.

How they printed the 3D vertebra. The implant was performed with a 3D printer. The experts started with titanium powder 23, after collecting tac images of the patient's spine. In practice, a computer image of the vertebra has been created. It was then printed in three dimensions and then implanted. Surgeons have in fact worked with the engineers of the Istituto Tecnológico de Canarias who have optimized the design of the vertebra in order to obtain the most appropriate biomechanical conditions (elasticity and resistance) to favor its colonization by the tissue. the patient's bone, and then the porosity of the implant is about 90%, leaving a free space for the new generation bone.

L & # 39; s response. Once the vertebra is ready, the doctors entered the operating room. The operation lasted 13 hours and saw the application of two surgical approaches: posterior and anterolateral. After only 14 days, the patient resumed walking with his walking frame and was released.

A record. "This intervention is the result of a growing clinical and scientific collaboration between the Department of Oncology and Rizzoli's Degenerative Spine Surgery led by Dr. Gasbarrini and the University of Orthopedics and Traumatology. II de Aoup led by Professor Capanna and whose objectives are the development of research on innovative methods and the combined management of very complex cases "sensitize the hospital.