3D printed nose grown on a cancer patient’s arm, grafted to her face

The company behind the development

Cerhum, the company behind this latest development, has managed to replicate the production of these high-quality chemicals and even figured out a way to use them to 3D print bones.

The technology, which has been clinically tested, comes with many advantages such as faster healing times and better rehabilitation for the patients. 

In this specific case, the female patient had lost a large part of her nose as well as the anterior (frontal) region of her palate almost a decade ago after being diagnosed with nasal cavity cancer. It was the treatments of radiotherapy and chemotherapy that followed that resulted in the destruction of her nose.

The patient had survived for many years without a nose before deciding to undergo nasal construction using grafting skin flaps. This process however proved unsuccessful and the patient experienced further difficulties using a nasal prosthesis.

That's when researchers at Toulouse University Hospital teamed up with Cerhum to provide her with a viable nose through a highly customized nasal reconstruction surgery made possible by 3D printing. It marked the first time this process was ever undertaken.

Revolutionizing reconstructive surgery

The technology has the major benefit of being able to produce material as small as blood vessels. The hope is that one day it can be used to treat diseases of the heart and circulatory system. 

For now, Cerhum’s technology has been approved for use in patients in Europe and it could forever revolutionize the way medical professionals approach reconstructive surgery. It is particularly effective in cases where all other options have been exhausted.

This is number 7 in Interesting Engineering's series showcasing the best innovations of 2022. Check back to discover more about groundbreaking AI, unique solar panels, new 3D printing methods and much more.