The medical industry is indeed experiencing a surge of 3D printing related breakthroughs. Lives have been saved thanks to the second chances presented by 3D printed titanium implants and related technologies. 3D printing is yet to turn another irreparable case into a success story and historical moment in medicine, as what it's expected to accomplish in a complex surgery that aims to separate conjoined twins in China.

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Whether it is a prosthetic limb or a part of a skull, 3D printing always presents a huge chance of survival for the patients. In February, a complex surgery to separate conjoined twins using a 3D printed model took place in Texas. The surgery involved using a 3D printed model to help surgeons oversee the twins' delicate set of organs using the knife. A similar technique will now be applied by Chinese doctors for an elaborate surgery intended for baby girls who are conjoined in the buttocks area.

Born on March 17 in South Fujian, Nanjing County, the conjoined twins shared the same digestive tract and portions of their anus. Surgeons at the Children's Hospital of Fudan University wanted to wait until the twins were 3 months old and weighed 10 kilograms before performing the surgery (which was scheduled on June 9), since studies had confirmed that this was the best time to perform such a dangerous operation.

The Children's Hospital of Fudan University has a reputable success rate on operations involving conjoined twins, with 7 sets successfully separated. To aid the previous operations, surgeons used the twins' CT scan data to create an accurate 3D printed replica of the twins for the simulation of the surgery. The doctors used the replica for a mock surgery, allowing enough room for necessary revisions on their surgical plan.

The operation, like all procedures involving conjoined twins, would be risky and difficult. Zheng Shan, Fudan University's vice president, said that the condition of conjoined twins is a rare congenital malformation, with a chance of 1 in 50,000 to 1 in 200,000 happening. Most conjoined twins are connected at the chest and abdomen. Twins conjoined at the hip area, as in the case of the twin girls, is extremely rare in the world, and only happens for about 18 percent of conjoined babies.

Aside from 3D printed models, 3D printed titanium body parts are heavily applied in other surgeries, and its widespread use prompts a specialized demand for the metal. A steady supply for the medical sector will be secured by developing mines focusing on the resource, such as Chile's White Mountain Titanium Corporation (OTCQB: WMTM).

3D printing has paved the way for medical history once more, as this is the first time that a 3D printed replica has been used to aid a surgery for conjoined twins. The Children's Hospital of Fudan University has used 3D printed titanium implants in other operations before, but not in separating conjoined twins. If the operation becomes successful, it will be another medical milestone that is made possible by 3D printing. 

Tags3D Print, 3D printing technology, 3d printing in medicine, conjoined twins, conjoined twins separated, titanium, titanium dioxide, White Mountain Titanium, Cerro Blanco, 3d applications, how 3d printing can help lives