For the first time in Korea, artificial bones created via 3D printing were used to replace the pelvic and thigh bones.

By employing 3D printing, artificial bones can be used to replace bones that need to be removed due to issues like tumors. For the first time in Korea, an operation to replace pelvic and thigh bones with artificial bones made using 3D printing was successfully completed.
According to KBS news, Korea has successfully carried out its first surgery to replace pelvic and thigh bones with 3D-printed artificial bones, marking a new milestone in medical technology.

Park Kyung-hwan, who received the innovative surgery, expressed his joy and amazement at the results. “As soon as I woke up after the surgery, I checked out how long my leg was. I found that both my legs matched. I was so elated I even forgot about the pain,” he said.
Park Kyung-hwan suffered a severe pelvic bone injury from a fall two years ago. His thigh bone had dissolved as a result of repeated osteomyelitis, leaving his right leg six centimeters shorter than his left. To be able to stand up, the man had to raise his heel. His pelvic and thigh bones were artificially replaced three months ago using 3D printing. His recovery is progressing more quickly now that his legs are the same length, and he even has a running ambition.

According to Prof. Kang Hyun-guy at the Korean National Cancer Center, “Artificial bones are mostly used in musculoskeletal oncology. When large tumors are removed, the affected areas need to be reconstructed. Recently artificial bones are also used in patients suffering from the adverse effects of multiple and hard-to-treat fractures.”
The 3D printing technology used in creating artificial bones is highly precise and accurate, allowing for the replacement bones to fit perfectly into the patient’s body. This not only eliminates the chances of complications during the surgery but also speeds up the healing process.

Apart from the patient’s comfort and satisfaction, the use of 3D-printed artificial bones also has several other benefits. It reduces the time required for the production of artificial bones, making surgeries more accessible to a larger number of patients. Additionally, the cost of these surgeries has also been reduced significantly with the introduction of 3D printing technology.