A South African doctor has made headlines around the world after he cured a man’s deafness using 3D technology.
He and his team successfully performed a transplant of a patient’s middle ear and now hopes to help many more people who suffer from a loss of hearing.
Earlier today Gauteng Health MEC Dr Gwen Ramokgopa visited Steve Biko Academic Hospital, to wish the team luck on conducting the world’s first surgical procedure using 3D-printed middle ear bones.
This surgery may be the answer to conductive hearing loss & middle ear problems. pic.twitter.com/1cQGMXjvR1
— Gauteng Provincial Gov (@GautengProvince) March 13, 2019
The pioneering surgical procedure used 3D-printed middle ear bones, developed by Professor Mashudu Tshifularo and his team at the University of Pretoria Faculty of Health, according to a press release by the South African Government.
Using 3D technology, the pioneering surgeon was able to recreate the bones and then performed the transplant.
This may be the answer to conductive hearing loss, a middle ear problem caused by congenital birth defects, infection, trauma or metabolic diseases.
‘Hearing back immediately’
Acording to the press release this surgery can even be performed on newborns.
The first patient to receive the transplant was a 35-year-old man who suffered hearing loss as a result of a car accident that damaged his inner ear. Surgery took an hour and a half.
Professor Tshifularo said: “The patients will get their hearing back immediately but since they will be wrapped in bandages, only after two weeks, when they are removed, will they be able to tell a difference.”
Steve Biko Hospital conducts world's first ever middle ear transplant | @Health24com https://t.co/XEa7s2iuGd pic.twitter.com/YPz0Xr79Ow
— News24 🇿🇦 (@News24) March 14, 2019
The professor is proud of his and his team’s amazing achievement.
“It also means that we have done something new in the world and people will remember us for that,” he said.
Professor Tshifularo is the first black ENT specialist in South Africa and is considered one of the best in his field in the country, according to the university’s website.
Affordable technology
He added, “3D technology is allowing us to do things we never thought we could.”
He would like to make this technology affordable and is looking for sponsors to bring this to the medical community.
Listen to this great doctor talk about why this surgery is so important in the clip below.
At Steve Biko Academic Hospital in conversation with Professor Mashudu Tshifularo who, together with his team, developed a pioneering surgical procedure using 3D-printed middle ear bones at the University of Pretoria's Faculty of Health #WeCare #GautengATWork pic.twitter.com/zRvnJUFeLl
— Gauteng Health (@GautengHealth) March 13, 2019
This is such a major breakthrough and will bring hope to so many people who are forced to live in a silent world.
Please share to let others know about this amazing surgery and to pay tribute to this exceptional doctor.
