In the first known procedure of its kind, a 3D printed titanium implant created using additive manufacturing (AM) has been used to replace hard tissue lost during tumour removal from the maxilla in a seven-year-old Bernese Mountain Dog.

The procedure was performed in Canada through an international collaboration between partners from Germany, Canada and the UK, who say that this was a case where the placement of the tumour made it impossible to operate without severely impacting the dog’s quality of life. The most suitable treatment was a total excision of the growth and reconstruction with an implant. 

The implant was designed with medical CAD tools by German company, Voxelmed, using 3D imaging from the affected area. The dog's veterinary surgeon, Julius Liptak, contributed to the design to ensure it met specifications and allowing him to plan the procedure in advance.

UK company Renishaw then additively manufactured the patient specific implant (PSI) at the Additive Design In Surgical Solutions (ADEISS) Centre in London, Ontario, Canada.

Ed Littlewood, Marketing Manager at Renishaw’s Medical and Dental Products Division said: "Without the advancements in additive manufacturing technology, this dog would not have had such a long and happy future ahead of him.

"Prior to this case, many veterinary surgeons were unaware that the technology was available. Similar procedures are now being planned in Germany and further research is underway to see how animals can benefit from additively manufactured PSIs.

Jan Klasen, veterinary surgeon, 3D designer and CEO of Voxelmed said: "Without AM technology, it would have been almost impossible to reconstruct the dog’s maxilla after tumour removal, because the area was extremely complex in geometry. The implant had to have a similar shape and functionality as the dog’s existing bone structure. 

"Using additive manufacturing to maintain the original shape and function of the oral and nasal cavity ensures a high quality of life for the dog, just as a naturally shaped skull and maxilla helps the dog to breathe and eat easily."

To read the full case study, visit http://www.renishaw.com/en/additive-manufacturing-in-veterinary-surgery-saving-a-well-loved-member-of-the-family--42950. 

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