3D Printing Makes UK Man A Face

A man has had his face completely reconstructed thanks to an experimental surgery enabled by 3D printing technologies, according to reports.

The patient, Stephen Power, a resident of Cardiff, Wales, originally suffered from a severely misshapen face after a traumatic motorcycle accident damaged the structure of his skull -- altering his jaw, cheek bones, nose, and the left side of his face. Even after healing, his skull and face remained extremely changed compared to their original shape prior to the accident.

According to a BBC News report, Power, who is 29, found himself forced to hide his face behind thick glasses and a hat out of shame. He told reporters he rarely left his home and found it difficult to interact with people who would be alarmed by his appearance.

However, thanks to a revolutionary adaptation of 3D printing technologies in reconstructive surgery, Power's face now looks much closer to its original state. Power says after the "totally life changing procedure" he will no longer hide away or disguise himself.

In what is being hailed "pioneer" applied 3D printing, custom implants, plates, and guides were designed to restructure and repair Power's fractured skull. These implants were then printed in medical grade titanium with advanced 3D printing technology.

What makes this reconstructive surgery special is that the implants used were specially designed for the sole purpose of reconstructing Power's face, and thus had to specially printed.

Experts behind the procedure, which was the work of the Center of Applied Reconstructive Technologies, are calling this kind of procedure a very "convoluted" and "long-winded" design process making it the kind of thing exclusive to very complicated individual cases that warrant special consideration.

Details on Power's historic surgery are currently being featured in the London Science Museum exhibit titled "3D: Printing the Future."