Prostheses built in this first phase are a polymer known as PMMA or polymethylmethacrylate, which has 96% biocompatibility with the body.
Kevin Mejía, who dreams of being a chef and learning French, was one of the first beneficiaries of a joint research project between the Salesian Polytechnic University (UPS) and Solca.
After the treatment in the head, a hole was left that was replaced by a custom-made, personalized, biosecure prosthesis produced in this city.
Pablo Peña, neurosurgeon from Solca, explains that due to the after-effects of the treatment, 23-year-old Kevin was left with a hole in the left parietal bone of approximately 15 cm by 20 cm, but that it was reconstructed thanks to a joint technique between the doctors and the UPS investigators.
The doctors took a tomography of the right side of the head as a reference and as if it were a mirror, they printed it and relocated it in the affected area, being totally symmetrical and biosecure.
This type of surgery and custom prostheses is a pioneering initiative carried out in Cuenca, which for now has benefited five cancer patients with thoracic, maxillofacial and neurosurgery conditions, explains Jorge Fajardo, coordinator of the UPS Gimat research group .
What makes it unique, he explains, is that each element placed in the body is exclusive and with a fair measure, but it also allows the postoperative process to be less aggressive and recovery to be earlier. While those available in private shops have standard sizes, which makes it difficult to fit with the body.
His colleague Efrén Vásquez details that the prostheses built in this first phase are a polymer known as PMMA or polymethylmethacrylate, which has 96% biocompatibility with the body, which in a certain way guarantees its integration into human tissues.
Likewise, Andrés Andrade, head of teaching at Solca, explained that in this first stage processes such as the materials plan, cutting guide and patients’ utility were included, which in the end improves their quality of life.
Kevin Mejía began his cancer treatment in 2016, suffering from various stages such as metastases to his back and head. Although the road was not easy, he says that today he is “happy, comfortable and complete”, ready to resume the pending activities, including studying French and gastronomy.
And although this is an initial project, Jorge Fajardo, from UPS, urges that in order to help more people, the contribution of public entities and private companies in specific aspects such as economic resources, coupling a specialized center for production or in the acquisition of a 3D printer specialized in this type of product. (I)
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