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Patches is an adorable nine year old daschund who lives with his adoptive family in Pennsylvania. And do not be fooled by that bump on her tail, she's definitely a cute, she just has a brain tumor.
But thanks to the progress of 3D printing, nothing more.
Patches Before Surgery – Images courtesy of the Canadian Press
Some time earlier this year, Patches' family noticed a small lump on their dog's head, diagnosed as a brain tumor. In a few months, the aggressive cancer has spread through the skull of the poor girl, reaching the size you see in the photo. Desperate to save her beloved pet, the family turned to Michelle Oblak, a veterinary oncologist surgeon who developed a plan.
In such cases, the surgeon must remove the tumor itself and part of the skull. In the case of Patches, they had to remove 70% of his skull. Because it's obviously dangerous, they reinstall the animal with a titanium mesh to protect their fragile brain. Instead, Oblak and his team decided to try something new.
The skull cap printed in 3D
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According to the Canadian press, they first performed CT scans of the dog's head to simulate their operation. Once that was done, they mapped the dimensions of his skull and 3D printed a titanium cap, to fix over the newly exposed space. It was a laborious process in general, because they could not use the cap if measurements were not millimeter accurate.
Then, on March 23, Patches underwent a four-hour operation, during which time his tumor was removed, as well as two-thirds of his skull. Miraculously, the adorable doggo was up and about 30 minutes later, and was even eager to go for a walk. And with a new titanium skull, Patches is officially cancer free.
A healthy postoperative patch
The skull printed in 3D is not only cheaper than the custom made, it is also a much more precise fit. It is only a matter of time before the technology is used more intensively. Although doctors have begun testing, these procedures are not yet popular enough to attract attention. But as 3D printing becomes cheaper every year, it can become a ordinary treatment very soon.
In the meantime, Patches can at least enjoy the rest of her life with a skull that no dog has had before her.
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