Dog with cancer gets new skull plate from the 3D printer

State-of-the-art technology opens new cancer treatments

In a difficult surgical procedure, Canadian specialists removed a large malignant tumor that grew on the skull of a dachshund. For the first time in medical history, the surgeons succeeded in replacing the damaged skull of the dog with a prosthesis printed by a 3D printer. The doctors described the procedure as a breakthrough in cancer research.

Currently, the story of the little Dachshund Patches makes international headlines. Doctors at Ontario Veterinary College in Canada performed the dog's first successful surgery, replacing a skullcap with a prosthesis from the 3D printer. Dr. Michelle Oblak made a custom-fit titanium plate in the printer that was used for the operation on the dog's skull. The surgeons speak of a groundbreaking success in veterinary medicine and cancer research.

The orginalgetreue skull of the dog was printed together with tumor and prosthesis in advance of the operation with a 3D printer. (Photo: University of Guelph)

Like a piece of a puzzle

"It was really amazing to be able to use this incredible, customized and state-of-the-art plate in one of our dog patients," says Dr. Oblak in a press release from the University of Guelph on the extraordinary case. The individual implant fit like a puzzle piece into the skull.

Also suitable for humans?

The research team of Oblak investigates dogs with cancer as a disease model for humans. The physicians see the use of 3D-printed implants a great future - even in humans. The procedure is called "rapid prototyping". In the process, calculations are carried out in advance of surgical interventions, which can then be used to create accurate implants from the 3D printer.

Make interventions more predictable

"I was able to do the surgery in theory before I even went to the operating room," explains Oblak. It shows a small model of the dog's skull with the removable tumor and the matching skull implant - everything created in advance with the 3D printer.

The tumor was so big that he pushed his head down

The little dachshund's tumor was so huge that he constantly had to lower his head under the weight. He also began to grow into the skull and came dangerously close to the brain and the eye socket. The pre-planning and the exact implant drastically reduced the duration of the operation. The dachshund patch was stunned for only five hours. "She slept for about five hours, and within half an hour of surgery, patches were alert and looked around - it was amazing," Oblak sums up the operation.

Great potential for human medicine

The new technology could be revolutionary for some areas of surgery. These include, for example, the preparation of limb prostheses, the reconstruction of tumors and the treatment of fractures and traumas. "There is a delay in the use of available technology in human medicine," says Oblak. But the current regulations are slowly catching up.

When can the implants be used in humans??

As the researchers report, the experiences of the animal patients provide valuable information about the safety of the implants. This information should now be used to use the personalized prostheses in humans. "These implants are the next big step in personalized medicine, enabling each element of the individual's medical care to be tailored to their needs," says Oblak. The team around Oblak now wants to offer customized prostheses as standard procedures for animal surgery. (Vb)