At Utrecht University's University Clinic for Companion Animals late last year, a dog received a new 3D printed skull roof after removal of a tumour. It is the first time such an operation has been performed in Europe. The operation was possible thanks to a unique collaboration between the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Medicine. From the experience gained in this field with animals, thanks to the unique collaboration between veterinary and human medicine, both the dog and their owners benefit.
Through a unique collaboration between the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and the University Medical Centre Utrecht (UMCU), a new skull roof was printed from titanium using a CT scan of the dog. Veterinarian Prof Björn Meij is satisfied with the course of the operation and the recovery afterwards: "A major advantage of 3D printing a skull roof is that it can be perfectly tailored to the individual, and an edge can be printed from porous titanium. This edge allows the bone to grow into the implant and integrate into the skull." It is the first time such an operation has been performed in the Netherlands. The dog is now home and is doing well.
Research
The surgery and application of this material falls into a larger study in which the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Medicine in Utrecht are collaborating. This is a study to develop a 3D printed implant for application in hip dysplasia in humans and dogs. Work has also already been done with 3D printed parts for the forearm in dogs, and the technique can be used for replacement of skeletal parts after removal of tumour from bone such as from a paw, jaw or so skull.
Titanium skull is placed.
Regenerative medicine
The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and the UMC Utrecht have been collaborating in the field of regenerative medicine in Utrecht for years, especially in the field of the spine (back pain due to intervertebral disc degeneration) and joints (wear and tear) or osteoarthritis. The animals central to this are dogs and horses, at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine many of these animals are seen with these complaints. Björn Meij: "But the collaboration with human medicine goes further and further, partly stimulated by bringing researchers from Veterinary Medicine, the UMC Utrecht and the Hubrecht laboratory together in one lab (the Regenerative Medical Centre Utrecht). More and more is being published on dogs and horses and the translation of findings for similar diseases in humans: that is why we now talk about One health - One Medicine."
Source: Utrecht University.
