Dynamic titanium prosthesis based on 3D-printed replica for chest wall resection and reconstruction.

ABSTRACT

3D-printing technologies can assist the surgical planning and prosthesis engineering for the management of extended chest wall resection. Different types of prosthesis have been utilized over time, but some concerns remain about their impact on the respiratory function. Here we present a new kind of 3D-printed titanium prosthesis designed to be either strong and flexible. The prosthesis was created on a 11 3D-printed anatomic replica of the chest, used to delineate surgical margins and to define the reconstructive requirements.