Doctors in South Africa have taken the World of Medical Science by storm by performing the first Middle Ear transplant. The surgery was performed by a team of Doctors in South Africa using 3D Technology. This transplant was first of it’s kind . It was able to cure deafness of a 35 year old. This is a new ray of hope for people suffering from Hearing Ailments.
The ground breaking surgery was performed by Mashudu Tshifularo, a South African Doctor & a professor at the University of Pretoria Faculty of Health Sciences, and his Medical Team. They were able to eradicate a 35 year old’s deafness by use of 3D Technology. Tshifularo, was able to replace the damaged bones of the patient’s ear. He did it by recreating the anvil, hammer, stirrup, and ossicles, which make up the inner ear. Similarly shaped titanium pieces produced on a 3D printer were used for replacement.
The Surgery was performed in Steve Biko Academic Hospital on Wednesday. The patient was a victim of an accident who unfortunately damaged the inside of his ear. The Miraculous surgery required two hours to recovering his hearing ability.
The University of Pretoria believes that the procedure “may be the answer to conductive hearing loss. A middle ear problem caused by congenital birth defects, infection, trauma or metabolic diseases.”
By replacing only the ossicles that aren’t functioning properly, the procedure carries significantly less risk than known prostheses and their associated surgical procedures. We will use titanium for this procedure, which is biocompatible. We use an endoscope for the replacement. So the transplant is expected to be quick, with minimal scarring.
Mashudu Tshifularo
The Surgery also reduces the possibility of facial nerve paralysis. As there is minimal chance of facial nerve getting damaged.
On being questioned when the patient will get his hearing back. Tshifularo said: “ The patients will get their hearing back immediately but since they will be wrapped in bandages, only after two weeks, when they are removed, will they be able to tell a difference.”
This surgery is very beneficial as patients of all ages can be cured . Now many more such cases of hearing trouble can possibly be cured.
To do that Tshifularo commented that they welcomed sponsors for their venture. Their main motive was to make the technology affordable.
Certainly 3D Technology has opened new doors of Innovation and Revolution . Earlier reconstruction of Skull,Cranium,Bones have been done using 3D printing Technology. Medical Community is hopeful for 3D Technology to carve new Paths for treatment among the human race.
