01 Dec 3D Printing Will Guide and Improve Face Transplantation

MedicalResearch.com Interview with
Frank J. Rybicki, MD PhD
Director, Applied Imaging Science Laboratory
Director, Cardiac CT and Vascular CT / MRI
Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Associate Professor, Harvard Medical School
Boston, MA

Medical Research: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?

Dr. Rybicki: Face transplantation restores form and function to patients with catastrophic facial injuries. To date, surgical planning a vascular anastamoses have been well described. While all 7 patients at BWH have had 3d printed models from their CT scans, to date the findings and impact of 3D printing has not been described. Also, the role of printing the soft tissues of the face has not been described.

Medical Research: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?

Dr. Rybicki: There are many emerging aspects of medicine for which 3D printing will have a positive impact.  Full face transplantation is an excellent and dramatic example of how one of the most complex procedures to date can be improved with the new technology.

Medical Research: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Dr. Rybicki: 3D printing in medicine, and in particular radiology, will continue to grow.  Surgical planning will expand to include 3D printing.

Citation:

RSNA 2014 100th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting Abstract

Researchers Use 3-D Printing to Guide Human Face Transplants

Co-authors on the study are Maximilian Kueckelhaus, M.D., Kanako K. Kumamaru, M.D., Ph.D., Nicole Wake, M.S., Dimitris Mitsouras, Ph.D., Elizabeth George, M.D., Gerald T. Grant, D.M.D., M.S., Peter C. Liacouras, Ph.D., and Edward J. Caterson, M.D., Ph.D.

Last Updated on December 1, 2014 by Marie Benz MD FAAD