Dr. John Meara from the Cleft and Craniofacial Center at Boston Children’s was able to carry out this extremely difficult procedure thanks to a thorough preparation in collaboration with the hospital’s Simulator Program (SIMPeds), which enables doctors to rehearse their procedures via a variety of methods including 3D Printing. 3D Printing plays a large role in providing the surgeons with tangible anatomical models they can use to plan their surgery. Materialise has been proud to support the SIMPeds program by sharing its state-of-the-art expertise in 3D Printing.

Using a CT scan of the baby’s skull, the SIMPeds technicians were able to create a 3D-printed model for Dr. Meara and his colleague, Dr. Mark Proctor, to allow a more tangible pre-surgical planning. Another added benefit of printing out the skull was that the surgeons could clearly explain the operation to the baby’s parents, and thereby provide a measure of reassurance.