Case Study: World Craniofacial Foundation achieves life-changing craniofacial reconstruction with 3D Systems' Virtual Surgical Planning and 3D printing

Saving Grace with Virtual Surgical Planning

3D Systems is a precision healthcare technology company that provides 3D-printed anatomical models, virtual surgical planning (VSP), and custom implants and guides. The case involved Grace K., born with severe craniofacial deformities and missing skull bone, whose complex, multi-stage reconstruction was complicated by malnutrition and required extraordinary surgical precision and international coordination.

Using VSP to convert CT scans into detailed 3D simulations, 3D Systems produced patient-specific models, cutting guides, and custom implant designs (sculpted with haptic-enabled software). Partners fabricated an absorbable implant and custom allografts from 3D-printed molds; the staged surgeries successfully repositioned brain tissue and facial bones, enabled skull regeneration, and restored normal eating, speaking and breathing, with a final soft-tissue procedure planned.

World Craniofacial Foundation

Kenneth Salyer

World Craniofacial Foundation