Apollo Hospital gets 3D lab for prosthetics

Applying new-age technology to treat patients and customising tools for treatment, Apollo Hospitals, in collaboration with Anatomiz3D Medtech Pvt Ltd, has established a 3D printing lab at its hospital in Jubilee Hills. This lab will enable doctors to finetune surgical tools and prosthetic implants based on the different needs of patients.

This technology enables the practitioner to recreate patient anatomy from the CT or MRI scan. This feature assists the treating surgeon to visualise the anatomy ahead of the surgery, do pre-surgical planning, determine the clinical approach and provide precise communication to the patient and the attendants on the approach being adopted.

A patient with minor salivary gland tumour of maxilla or facial bone was treated with 3D printing technology. “3D printing assisted radical maxillectomy by enabling the doctor to plan the extent of resection and reduce operative time. It is very a useful tool for teaching purposes,” said Dr Chinnababu Sunkavalli, senior robotic surgical oncologist, Apollo Cancer Institute, Hyderabad.

Dr Ravindra Babu, assistant director, medical services, Apollo Hospitals, Jubilee Hills, said, “This technology is useful in at least three ways, one is in operation theatre where surgeons operate by looking at the CT and MRI scans, which are 2D images. Now with this, the surgeon has a 3D vision, which enables him to perform very complex surgeries.”

He said the technology reduces patient trauma, and surgery becomes easier for the doctor.

“The other area is with regard to implants. With 3D technology, the implant can be customised to the patient's need,” Dr Sunkavalli said, adding that they were in a position to educate students better with 3D technology.