Another Australian First

[Neferti]

Titanium, 3D-printed prosthetic jaw implanted in Melbourne man in Australian first surgery

Surgeons have successfully implanted a titanium 3D-printed prosthetic jaw in a Melbourne man in an Australian-first operation.

It is hoped the success of the locally designed and tested part will lead to high-tech export opportunities.

The patient, 32-year-old psychologist Richard Stratton, was missing part of his jawbone including the left condile, the joint to the skull.

He believed part of his jaw never grew properly after he received a bad knock to the jaw during childhood.

In the past few years, he has suffered increasing pain while chewing or moving his jaw and he has not been able to fully open his mouth.

Oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr George Dimitroulis designed a prototype prosthesis that was refined and tested by experts at Melbourne University's mechanical engineering department.

Dr Dimitroulis said that while there had been a handful of 3D-printed jaw operations worldwide, he was not aware of any that incorporated a titanium part and a 3D-printed plastic jaw joint.

"In terms of joint replacement specifically, what we call the TMJ - the temporomandibular joint - we suspect that this may be the first 3D-printed jaw joint in the world," he said.

More here:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-06-20/m ... aw/6536788

[S m i t h ' s J o h n]

well done
Oz med doctors/students really do make some breakthroughs