First-ever 3-D printed Titanium bone surgery saves Nigerian boy's foot from amputation in Ajman

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

A young boy from Nigeria, who had severely injured his right foot including bones and soft tissues because of the accidental gunshot in his country, got on to his foot, thanks to the team of Doctors at Thumbay University Hospital.

The boy had lost all hopes of getting it back as numerous consultations with doctors in his native country and in UAE had only indicated one solution: foot amputation.

It was then the team of doctors led by  Dr Faisal Ameer, Head of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Thumbay University Hospital, pitched in and achieved this humongous feat by successfully performing a mid-foot reconstruction using 3-D technology and saving a 9-year old Nigerian boy from foot amputation.

It was first of its kind surgery done in the UAE.

 The boy with his mother after successful surgery.

After a thorough analysis and a CT angiography of the foot, Dr Ameer concluded that salvation of the limb was possible, with a series of complex surgeries and treatments.

The first challenge was to provide adequate coverage and blood supply to save the foot. In a surgery lasting more than 14 hours, the doctors of the organisation performed a micro-vascular free flap as the first procedure.

Then, the patient was reassessed with a 3D CT scan and an image of the missing bones destroyed by the bullet wound was reconstructed.

After days of work with design teams in Dubai, Germany and Belgium, the group consisting of doctors, Dr Hillol Kanti Pal (Neurosurgeon), Dr Mufique Gajdhar (Pediatric Surgeon) and Dr. Arun Kumar (Radiologist),a meshed bone using titanium was 3D printed, which was then, in a historic and unprecedented moment, implanted into the child’s foot in the following surgery.

The meshed structure was chosen to emulate the normal human bone structure, whereas titanium was used due to its strength, inertness and light weight.

Dr Faisal Ameer 

“This is the first of its kind surgery to be ever reported in the field of medical science, which makes it unique, historic and extraordinary.  It is a matter of great pride and accomplishment for Thumbay University Hospital as we bring glory to the nation, further cementing country’s positioning of making records in almost all areas of life, commented Akbar Moideen Thumbay Vice president of Healthcare Division, Thumbay Group.

The parents of boy had lost all their hopes before they eventually met Dr Ameer, who assured the family of positive outcomes despite the challenges..

Parents, who couldn’t visualise their little boy lose his future as he was not only a good student but a very good dancer and karate champion, finally had a happy ending to their tumultuous search for proper treatment for their chid.

The mother of the child states that she feels grateful for God’s kindness and says that she’ll forever be indebted to the institution that miraculously saved her child’s limb.

The boy is now undergoing intensive physiotherapy for complete rehabilitation and range of motion and is expected, soon, to make a full recovery.