According to surgeons from the Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital in New York City, a two-week old baby requiring complicated heart surgery was reportedly saved by revolutionary advancements in 3-D organ printing.
Doctors have said that because of the child's unusually structured heart that was covered with holes, the surgery proved to be A very complicated procedure that potentially posed a threat to the baby's life. However, because of this new technology, they were able to print an exact three-dimensional replica of the child's heart that allowed them to study or getting detail and lay down the groundwork for an effective surgical strategy.
Dr. Emile Bacha was part of the surgical team that attended to the child and was quoted as saying, "The baby's heart had holes, which are not uncommon with CHD, but the heart chambers were also in an unusual formation, rather like a maze. In the past he had to stop the heart and look inside to decide what to do. With this technique, it was like we had a roadmap to guide us. We were able to repair the baby's heart with one operation."
Researchers working in collaboration with the Connecticut-based foundation Matthew's Hearts of Hope said that there is another 3D heart that is in the process of being made. Details of this project will be released in the coming months. Founder Marie Thatcher said that this recent procedure is yet another exceptional testament to how 3D organ printing is paving the way for cutting edge medical technology. "This is a game changer for CHD babies with complicated heart anatomy. Normally, the first time the surgeon sees the heart is when the chest is open, now we have the ability to plan out the surgery ahead of time while looking at a 3-D heart of the baby or child's heart."