Surgeons at the Gregorio Marañón Hospital in Madrid have reconstructed the chest of Mario, a 20-year-old young man with Poland syndrome. This congenital malformation affects the pectoral muscle and the hand. The pioneering procedure of its kind used a custom-made titanium prosthesis manufactured with 3D printing, adapted to his anatomy to restore thoracic symmetry.
Custom 3D printing: titanium that adapts to the body 🦾
The prosthesis was designed from a three-dimensional scan of Mario's chest. Made of titanium by laser sintering, it replicates the structure of the missing pectoral muscle. The surgical planning included virtual simulations to ensure an exact fit. Fixation was performed with screws in the sternum and ribs, avoiding complications. Recovery was quick and the result stable.
Goodbye to the complex: now Mario shows off his titanium pectoral 😎
Mario had been avoiding the beach and tight t-shirts for years. Now, with his new metallic pectoral, he could pass for a stylish robot. Of course, he'll have to be careful when going through airport security arches. But hey, if the titanium holds up, at least he won't have to worry about push-ups. Science, sometimes, is also a matter of aesthetics.