Unique Orthopedic Surgery at Galilee Medical Center: applying 3D-printing technology to repair fractures

Galilee Medical Center's Department of Orthopedics A, headed by Dr. Haim Shtarker, treats complex orthopedic trauma — extremely severe and multi-system trauma injuries from serious car accidents, gunshot wounds, injuries sustained from falling from heights, and the like.

Dr. Khalil Nasrallah, a senior orthopedic surgeon, who performed a fellowship in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, where he specialized at one of the leading trauma centers in Europe in the field of complex orthopedic trauma, on behalf of the world's leading trauma association (AO Trauma), and who has extensive experience repairing complex fractures, leads these surgeries.

Recently within the framework of complex orthopedic trauma treatment, Dr. Nasrallah led an operation that utilized 3D printing to repair fractures a 49-year-old man, who arrived to Galilee Medical Center in serious condition, sustained when a horse fell on him,.

Upon arrival, Emergency Department staff brought the patient, who suffered from various fractures in the pelvic area and from dangerous arterial bleeding, to the department's trauma room, where they staff anesthetized him and administered artificial respiration.

Then he was admitted to the general intensive care unit, and after he was weaned off the respirator and his condition stabilized, he was hospitalized in the Orthopedic A' Department.

The doctors performed the surgery later, using a 3D printed model of the complex fracture, and they achieved maximum accuracy when restoring and fixing parts of the fracture to their normal and natural state. Then the doctors fixed the fracture in the pelvis using special plates and screws.

The team used the most advanced equipment, including intraoperative CT (0-ARM), which helped to determine the condition of the fractures in real time.

The operation was deemed a success, and following surgery the patient was hospitalized in the orthopedics ward, in a good and stable condition.

This surgery involved multidisciplinary cooperation between departments and employees from different sectors, including intensive care teams, a general surgeon, the vascular unit and radiologists.

Dr. Nasrallah: "Complex trauma injuries are very deceptive and demand a particularly high level of professionalism and surgical skill, due to the high sensitivity of the injuries, their nature and the great complexity of injuries in different parts of the body. Pelvic fractures are among the most complex, due to their unique anatomical structure and proximity to vital organs. They require precise pre-operative planning, while performing various steps to return the fracture to its place and fix it, as well as careful planning of each screw. With this type of surgery, we make sure to refer to all body systems."

Prof. Masad Barhoum, the director of the medical center, welcomed the application of 3D-printing technology to repair fractures to treat complex orthopedic trauma and emphasized that it is a significant leap forward for the medical center in particular, and the residents of northern Israel in general.