Home / Health / Jaw Rebuilt With 3D Tech After Cancer
Jaw Rebuilt With 3D Tech After Cancer
8 Oct
Summary
- A 49-year-old engineer had his jaw reconstructed using 3D technology.
- A custom titanium implant was designed and prepared before surgery.
- The reconstruction involved a custom implant and living tissue from his thigh.
Arvind Tagare, a 49-year-old retired engineer, has undergone a remarkable jaw reconstruction following a Stage III buccal mucosa cancer diagnosis in March 2024. After extensive cancer treatment, he faced challenges with eating, speaking, and swallowing due to facial defects and an oronasal fistula.
Doctors at SSO Cancer Hospitals utilized advanced 3D technology to rebuild his jaw. His CT scans were used to create a 3D model, with the unaffected side of his face serving as a template. This allowed for the design of a customized titanium implant, prepared four days prior to the surgery.
The surgical procedure involved using the custom-designed implant as the jaw's framework, which was then covered with living tissue taken from Tagare's left thigh. The surgery proceeded without complications. Tagare was discharged on August 30, with ongoing rehabilitation focusing on restoring his ability to chew, speak, and swallow.
This innovative approach using 3D modeling and custom implants contrasts with conventional methods that often rely more on estimation during surgery. The precision offered by the custom implant aims for more accurate and predictable results in complex reconstructive cases like Tagare's.
