Recently, the Department of Orthopedics of Xijing Hospital, for the first time in the world, used tantalum metal 3D printed long-segment artificial vertebral bodies for defect reconstruction after en bloc resection of spinal malignant tumors. Li Hua (pseudonym), 37, from Baoji City, Shaanxi Province, came to the Department of Orthopedics of Xijing Hospital due to progressive back pain, which seriously affected his quality of life. After consultation with a multidisciplinary team of experts, Li Hua was diagnosed with a pathological fracture of a malignant tumor of the thoracic 9-11 vertebral body and spinal cord compression. The experts decided to perform a three-segment posterior en bloc resection of the spinal tumor. Different from single-segment en bloc resection, multi-segment en bloc resection is more difficult and risky, and long-segment spinal defect reconstruction is more prone to complications.
It is reported that tantalum metal is currently recognized by the medical community as the most biocompatible human hard tissue implant material. The elastic modulus of porous tantalum is similar to that of bone tissue, much lower than that of titanium alloy, and it has obvious advantages of bone ingrowth and anti-infection. ability. However, due to the high melting point of tantalum metal and the high price of tantalum powder, 3D printing additive manufacturing of tantalum metal is technically and economically difficult. The team of Associate Professor Li Jing from the Department of Orthopedics of Xijing Hospital, in conjunction with relevant scientific research teams and preparation institutions, with the support of major intelligent manufacturing projects in Shaanxi Province, took the clinical application needs as the traction to carry out digital modeling and biomechanical design research. On this basis, by using the world's only high-power plasma rotary atomization powder milling equipment, affordable high-quality spherical tantalum powder is prepared. At the same time, on the self-developed domestic high-precision electron beam 3D printing equipment, the problem of precise melting of high-melting tantalum metal has been solved, and individualized tantalum metal prostheses can be printed quickly and efficiently. Sexuality, bone ingrowth, and mechanical issues provide solutions.
|
|
In order to accurately reconstruct the defect of Li Hua's spinal tumor after resection, the joint scientific research team designed an individualized long-segment vertebral body based on CT data and completed 3D printing of the tantalum metal vertebral body. On the day of the operation, Li Jing performed en bloc resection of the three-segment spinal tumor and used 3D-printed tantalum metal vertebral bodies for support and reconstruction. Due to the good matching of the individually designed prostheses, the reconstruction process was very smooth and the operation was completed within 4 hours. After the operation, Li Hua's spinal cord compression was completely relieved, and his nerve function returned to normal. One week after the operation, he was able to walk freely on the ground. It is believed that in the near future, individualized and assembled tantalum metal 3D printed prostheses can be greatly improved in terms of economy and universality, not only solving the pain of the majority of patients but also contributing solutions for orthopedic hard tissue repair and reconstruction.
