Before a patient’s scoliosis surgery, physicians use the 3D printer to make a model of the patient’s spine to practice the procedure and determine the proper entry point for the hardware to properly address spinal curvature.
“We take a CT scan, we’re able to load that CT scan into the computer, 3D model it, and then at every level that we determine that we need to fuse, we’re able to create a patient-specific guide for that level, ” Joseph DeWitt, MD, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon at Sparrow Hospital and McLaren Greater Lansing Hospital, told WKAR. “This allows us to very, very accurately and safely place our hardware, which consists primarily of screws, a couple of hooks, and then rods. “
Dr. DeWitt has completed 20 surgeries using the 3D modeling technology.
More articles on clinical leadership and infection control:
How OSU Wexner physicians ‘test drive’ damaged organs before transplants
Nation’s longest kidney transplant chain surpasses 100 donations
Michigan biotech looks to freeze organs for future transplants
Becker’s 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit is the top tier event that the people leading the future of pharmacy convene. This 3-day event is built specifically for Chief Pharmacy Officers and senior pharmacy leaders. The sessions examine the workforce, financial and clinical priorities shaping pharmacy today. Becker’s is where candid discussions flourish and new ideas thrive. Becker's 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit
