Anatomics are pleased to reveal the release of 3D print files used to help separate rare conjoined twins onto our AnatomicsRx Diversity educational platform for anyone to download and 3D print.
The baby girls were born with separate pelvises and shared the bottom region of their spines including nerves and blood vessels making surgery extremely complex and risky. There are only 30 recorded cases of attempted surgery to separate such pygopagus conjoined twins.
With the help of 3D printing technology, Anatomics created a BioModel using the girls’ high resolution computed tomography (CT) scans and the 3D printing technology of stereolithography.
The BioModel was used throughout the entire process from operative planning and parental consent to the completion of the surgery. The BioModel provided insight into the twins’ internal structures and revealed the exact positions of the connecting blood vessels, the joined sacrum and the vertebra.
The twins underwent various exploratory procedures before the final operation. Two weeks before the separation surgery the medical team used the BioModel of the girls’ and dolls as a guide to rehearse the procedure.
The 23-hour operation involved a multi-disciplinary team of 55 doctors and nurses including paediatrians, anaesthetists, plastic, orthopaedic and neurosurgeons who were helped by seven nurses working in shifts with support staff.
The operation was a great international success with the baby girls waking up shortly after and reaching for each other for comfort.
Executive Chairman of Anatomics, Mr Paul D’Urso said before 3D printing, most separations of pygopagus twins had a low success rate. ‘There are often multiple complications, including the death of either both or one of the twins,’ he said.
With this remarkable case, AnatomicsRx celebrates the new world of education and innovation Diversity will enable.
To download the 3D file, please head to AnatomicsRX.com