Design, additive manufacture and clinical application of a patient-specific titanium implant to anatomically reconstruct a large chest wall defect

摘要

Purpose - Chest wall reconstruction of large oncological defects following resection is challenging. Traditional management involves the use of different materials that surgeons creatively shape intraoperatively to restore the excised anatomy. This is time-consuming, difficult to mould into shape and causes some complications such as dislocation or paradoxical movement. This study aims to present the development and clinical implantation of a novel custom-made three-dimensional (3D) laser melting titanium alloy implant that reconstructs a large chest wall resection and maintains the integrity of the thoracic cage.