A MAN from Studley has a new lease of life after a team from Birmingham Heartlands Hospital successfully implanted a custom built 3D-printed titanium sternum and ribs to replace those that were removed following a rare bone infection six years ago.
Edward Evans’ story featured on BBC2’s Trust Me, I’m a Doctor on Wednesday evening (February 1).
Edward, aged 60, is the first patient in the UK to receive this type of implant, and only the second in the world. He became ill and surgeons had to remove part of his sternum and ribcage in 2011 after it became infected.
Edward, a keen sportsman and former rugby coach, felt vulnerable with just a thin layer of muscle protecting his heart and lungs.
The usual technique for protecting these organs and restoring chest wall movement, following the removal of the sternum is to replace it with an implant made of methyl methacrylate (cement), but only after the infection is eradicated.
Cardiothoracic surgeon, Mr Ehab Bishay, from Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, had read of the world’s first 3D implant by a team of surgeons in University Hospital Salamanca, Spain. They had collaborated with Australia-based medical device company, Anatomics, creating a custom built titanium implant that precisely replicated the structure of a sternum and rib cage in a cancer patient which was then implanted.
Mr Bishay said: “We approached Anatomics initially, who put us into touch with the team from Salamanca. It was a real multi-national collaboration.”
The team in Australia used high-resolution CT scans of Edward’s chest to recreate the defect so the implant would precisely fit. This data was then fed into a 3D printer that uses a powerful electron beam, to melt and fuse metal powder into a 3D object, layer by fine layer.
“Although cement is tried and tested we believe that custom built 3D printed titanium implants may have certain advantages which we are looking to show,” said Mr Bishay.
“Titanium is more resistant to infection, lightweight, tough, and since it exactly replicates the defect, it means the operative time is reduced as it slots in. It should also offer a better cosmetic result.”
Edward spent five days in hospital and now nearly five months after his surgery, has made a full recovery.
He said: “I feel more confident now. My chest now feels like it did before. Whatever I do now — simple or difficult — I feel better doing it. I can even fall over, knowing my heart and lungs are protected, and that’s something I couldn’t do before.
“I am very grateful to Mr Bishay and thank him and the rest of the medical team involved for the excellent treatment I received at Heartlands Hospital before, during and after surgery.”
