3D Printing Leads to Surgical Breakthrough for Patient | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Publisher's note: The author of this post, Michael Rudd, is a contributor to ECU News Services.

    A life-size, 3D printout of a patient's ribcage helped ECU doctors perform a less-invasive, life-changing surgery for one Goldsboro man.

    Franklin Arnold was left with chronic pain after a surgery to correct his debilitating scoliosis three years ago. Several doctors told him there wasn't anything they could do for him and then his pain management doctor referred him to Dr. Carlos Anciano, thoracic surgeon and ECU assistant professor.

    "Dr. Anciano walked in the room and said he knew what was wrong and could fix it," said Arnold.

    That idea was to introduce 3D technology into Arnold's treatment plan. Knowing ECU's 3D printing capabilities, Sparks reached out to Agarwala, who responded quickly.

    With MRI files in hand, Sparks met with Agarwala and College of Engineering and Technology graduate student Joshua Bruce Stevens.

    "He was the ideal student (to work on this project)," said Agarwala.

    Stevens initially worked with Sparks to make sure the files were correct and compatible with the software. Aided by Dan Zuberbier, education & instructional technology librarian, Stevens printed a life-size 3D model of Arnold's rib cage in ECU's Joyner Library.

    "We collaborated with some of the finest doctors in the world," said Agarwala. "Joshua took this project and ran with it."

    "(The 3D model) showed us the original disfiguring that came about from Franklin's twisted spine," said Anciano. "It also showed the way he healed from previous corrections to his curvature."

    Preparation made easier

    Anciano realized the approach for surgical intervention would be difficult, so he used the 3D model to provide a topographical map for rebuilding the patient's chest wall with titanium mesh.

    The surgery was completed on March 22. It took nine hours.

    "This is the first time we married 3D printing and computer-animated modeling with an intention to treat," said Anciano.

    "Dr. Sparks got me up out of bed two days later, and I was able to walk," said Arnold. "I immediately realized my breathing; it was a whole lot better. Talk about taking walks with my wife and child - I can do that now. Yes, I still have issues, but I know without a doubt, it's helped a lot."

    "It's like Christmastime"

    When the graduate student got the chance recently to meet the patient whose rib cage he 3D printed months before, Stevens described it in four simple words: "It's like Christmastime."

Video by Rich Klindworth

    "He (Arnold) was able to get something wonderful out of it, and I was able to get something out of it too," Stevens said.

    Now, Arnold is waking up every morning looking forward to the day ahead. He says his wife introduced him to the term "quality of life."

    "I didn't understand it before, but I do now."