This week, 3DPI’s Andrew Wheeler 
Photo via Boston Children’s Hospital.
Toddler's Surgery Rehearsed w/ 3DP
In a four-part video series, Boston Children’s Hospital follows the story of Violet, a toddler born with a dangerous facial birth defect. Before performing the complex craniofacial surgery on their young patient, Drs. Meara, Proctor and Weinstock were able to create a 3D printed replica of Violet’s skull on a Stratays Objet Connex 500. Practicing on the models before the more than seven hour surgery, the doctors were able to ensure that they could safely cut away her skull, without damaging her brain.
Anecdotally and, in some cases, clinically, 3D printed models are serving to help prepare surgeons, reduce operating times, and educate patients in the face of complex surgeries. So, to uplift you this weekend, I’ve embedded Parts 1, 2, and 3 below as a particularly endearing example of this practice that, I am positive, will only increase with time. Stay tuned for Part 4 on January 26th to see Violet’s recovery.
