this?' But Dr. Gupta saved my life once, and I trusted him completely." 3-D printing to create a customized cra- nial skull implant for Cahill. The implant is made of polyetheretherketone (PEEK), a thermoplastic polymer that is chosen for its strength, stability, and biocompatibility. Prior to 3-D printing, surgeons used metal mesh to replace pieces of the skull, but it was not as strong or as precise. The model created by 3-D printing is an exact custom fit because it uses the patient's CT scan. It is the best choice in cases of signifi- a spokesman for the company, these implants have a better anatomical fit, reduce operating time, and have more satisfy- ing aesthetic results than traditional models. The implants are also resistant to impacts and fractures. lobe had contracted. To ensure the best possible aesthetic Tushar Patel, MD, plastic and recon- structive surgeon and partner at the Plastic Surgery Center, to insert a skin expander, which enabled Cahill to have enough skin for surgery. a four-hour surgery--shorter than a traditional procedure due to the pre- allowed for fewer modifications dur- ing the process. The surgery went smoothly and Cahill recovered well, living on his own within four months of the surgery, with the help of Dr. Gupta. Because the incision is behind Cahill. "I was happy I looked exactly the same and felt like myself again." Skull Skull |