Case Study

Trecco Ltd. Safe, and predictable implant surgeries

Safe, and predictable implant surgeries are more than just statistical data, they represent men and women of all ages and backgrounds receiving a fresh chance at life.

With Trecco customised medical devices, surgeons and patients know exactly what to expect before, during, and after operations. The patient-specific approach manages costs efficiently, while improving success rates.

Consider a few of the exceptional cases Trecco is honoured to have helped shape.

Case 1

Fibula Free Flap Surgery - 42-Year-Old Male

A 42-year-old man with jaw cancer (Ameloblastoma) joined the growing number of people worldwide whose fibula free flap surgery was completely successfully because of precision 3D printing. Click on the images below to see the case details

Surgical Guide

Treatment was planned for fabricating surgical guides to help the surgeon cut precisely on the fibula bone and minimise unnecessary removal of surrounding bone.

Virtual Planning

Preoperative virtual planning allowed the team to visualise his anatomy and foresee the outcome of their interventions.

3D Designed Skull Model

In addition, an anatomical model of the skull was printed to simulate this component of the operation beforehand and alter the titanium plate accordingly. This guide helped visualise surgical planning with absolute clarity not possible in the past and reduced the theatre time with a predictable operation. The same procedure done without the benefit of 3D printed guides took 11 hours, however this patient’s surgery required only 6 hours to complete.

Final Results

The patient was in the hospital just three days after surgery while recovery progressed without issue. He was assessed 2 months following and the surgeon determined that from both an aesthetic and functional standpoint, the operation was a success.

Case 2

Facial Prosthesis- Gunshot Wound Reconstruction- 40-Year-Old Male

This 40-year old soldier sustained a gunshot wound to his face and was unhappy with the depression left in facial contours after plastic surgery. Click on the images below to see the case details.
(This case is protected by European Patent EP 3426173 B1 of the University of Basel)

CT Scan

From a CT scan, an anatomical model was printed, and patient-specific cutting guides were made for resection of the mobile orbital graft.

Prosthesis Design

The prosthesis was designed according to the 3D model in 2 pieces for ease of fitting.

Successful Fast Process

Following the surgeon’s approval, the final implant design was printed using Titanium 64 on a laser melting machine. Before surgery, the implants underwent heat treatment to stress relief and gamma-sterilisation.

Case 3

Mandible Tumour - 21-Year-Old Female

Ameloblastoma is a rare, noncancerous tumour seen most often in the jaw near molars. It caused facial swelling and pain for this 23-year-old female housewife. Click on the images below to see the case details

Striving for Symmetry

After removing the tumour, the primary objective was to achieve symmetry in the patient’s face so she could live life with full function confidence in her appearance.

Designing the Implant

The surgical team acquired computerised tomography (CT) scans of her head, which then allowed Trecco design engineers to custom tailor the implant using powerful computer aided design (CAD).

Accuracy & Customisation

In this complex case, Trecco adapted the implant design to match surgical screws in place and revised the design 3 times at the surgeon’s request. Extremely personalised and hands-on guidance allows for a level of accuracy and customisation never before possible.

Final result: Symmetry & Seamless

The 3D printed implant was built on an EOS Direct Metal Laser Sintering (EOS290) machine. Symmetry and a seamless fit were achieved. This operation took only 6 hours including Anesthesia, preparation, and placement of the titanium implant. After more than a year the patient has an aesthetically pleasing and functional result she is happy with.

The Most Advanced Engineering And 3D Printing With Trecco

Each case represents quality of life restoration.

A patient-specific approach can far outshine standard methods, especially when addressing complicated or advanced bone deformations. That’s why increasingly more progressive surgeons commission 3D-printed patient specific implants and cutting guides with Trecco.

Both complex and straightforward procedures see a decrease in time needed to perform them while ensuring each step is planned beforehand. Next-level efficiency and personalisation allow for less time spent chair side, and in the operating theatre.

Using Trecco’s virtual planning, custom-design, and 3D printing process for surgical guides and implants mean patients and surgeons can rely on predictable outcomes. Our implant guides remove unwanted surprises and delays due to imprecise fits and on-the-spot adjustments.

The result is peace of mind, satisfying outcomes and lives changed.