The ACCISS team have performed a revolutionary surgery using world-first 3D technology on a birth defect known as "funnel chest".

Picture of Dr Wagels and Ms Rutherford-Heard
Dr Wagels explains the 3D printed chest scaffold implanted into Ms Rutherford-Heard's chest. Credit: ABC News, Andree Withey

The Case

The patient had previously undergone 17 operations on their funnel chest de-formity, which impacted their heart and lung function.

The aim was not to correct the deformity, but rather concealing it without com-promising their organs.

The Solution

The team developed a camouflage 3D-printed scaffold to conceal the deformity, Dr Wagels explains the 3D printed chest scaffold implanted into Ms designed initially for breast reconstruction, that uses an absorbable scaffold which Rutherford-Heard's chest. Credit: ABC News, Andree Withey dissolves away completely, and within the scaffold implanted the patient's own fat. It took several years to develop, with a 3D-printed model of the patient’s chest made to ensure it fitted perfectly.

The Outcome

The patient said their life had been transformed and the results exceeded their expectations. For the full story please click here.