The world's first 3D jaw bone graft surgery

Myburg's life returned to normal after a successful jaw bone transplant. Remarkably, this jaw bone is cast from a 3D printer.

Anelia Myburgh was diagnosed with jaw cancer in April 2017. Earlier, this 31-year-old woman in Melbourne, Australia discovered a lump that covered part of her teeth.

Anelia Myburgh (pictured) was diagnosed with jaw bone cancer in April last year.She had to undergo surgery to remove up to 80% of the upper jaw bone.

The lump did not hurt her, but she decided to go to the hospital to conduct intensive tests. Test results confirmed that the swelling in Myburgh's mouth was an evil tumor and she had to undergo surgery immediately. Worth mentioning, after the operation, Miss Myburgh had only two teeth left in the deepest of the two jaws.

The surgery also left Myburgh with self-deprecation, suffering from curious eyes and suggestions for taking photos with her that she didn't want.

'We communicate because of the movement of the jaw, we eat by mouth, we are beautiful thanks to the balanced jaw bone. But I lost 80% of my jaw at the time, ' Miss Myburgh recalls.

Myburgh decided to confine herself in the house and only dared to leave the door when wearing a tight-fitting medical mask. While at the bottom of his boredom, Myburgh accidentally read the idea of ​​replacing his jaw with an artificial jaw bone printed by the 3D printer.

The jaw bone is printed for Myburgh.

After that, she went to see a bone surgeon with the function of George Dimitroulis, who thought of the idea of ​​a 3D jaw bone with a framework made of ti-tan and implanted more bone tissue so that she could grow teeth on it.

'You will not be able to tell the difference between the printed jaw bone from a 3D printer and the true titanium and jaw bone. In fact, we used 3D printers to print the jawbone, then we planted dentures on it. After the surgery, our patients will enjoy the quality of her inherent life , 'said Dr. George Dimitroulis.

During a five-hour operation, Dr. George Dimitroulis also took the skin from Miss Myburgh's forearm to fill the removed part of her previous surgery.

Bone cancer is a disease with malignant cells formed in the jaw bone.

The surgery was so convenient that it made Myburgh cry for happiness. Now, her life has returned to normal. Ms. Myburgh was able to move her face muscles, smile and enjoy delicious food. She also shared that the surgery changed her life and she was eager to wait until she could go out to enjoy a meal with friends.

Jaw bone cancer is common at all ages, whether adults or children. Unclear causes may be related to genetic factors or by teeth. To treat the disease, it is necessary to remove each segment of the jaw, removing the joint.

Anelia Myburg is radiant after her jaw bone transplant.

The effect of jaw cancer is to destroy the structure of the face and deform the face of the patient. If treatment is not timely, it can lead to loss of chewing function completely or cause death. Myburgh's surgery opened a new hope for jaw cancer patients.