World’s first kidney transplant using a 3D printer

26th January 2016

Joe Bush

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Three year old Lucy Boucher from Northern Ireland has become the first child to receive a kidney transplant using the help of a 3D printer. The transplant was performed by surgeons at London’s Guy’s and St Thomas’ and Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Surgeons made detailed models of the kidney, donated by Lucy’s father Chris (35), and of Lucy’s abdomen using a 3D printer. This enabled them to map out the procedure with precision, thus minimising risks.

Lucy, who was initially told she would need kidney dialysis for life after being diagnosed with a heart condition that causes kidney failure, is recovering after November’s operation which has been pronounced a success.

According to Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust: “It is the first time in the world that 3D printing has been used to aid kidney transplant surgery involving an adult donor and a child recipient.”

Lucy's mother Ciara said: “Considering all the potential complications, it’s fantastic that everything has gone so well - it’s a massive relief. The transplant is life changing for Lucy.”

The 3D printer was purchased by the hospital last August to help specifically with conducting difficult organ transplants. Based on measurements obtained through CT and MRI scans, the 3D printer produces a model of liquid plastic, moulded under ultraviolet light to replicate the body parts’ size and density. This enables surgeons to assess the feasibility of the transplant and to rehearse each step of the operation with the 3D models.

At the time, Pankaj Chandak, specialist registrar in transplant surgery at Guy’s and St Thomas’, said: “This type of surgery is especially complex. The 3D printing of the donor’s kidney and the child’s blood vessels will assist the surgical team ahead of the operation and will increase the chances of the transplant being a success.

“Our exciting new use of 3D printed models to help plan highly complex kidney transplant surgery in children brings all sorts of important advantages for our patients and the surgical team.”

3D printing is now allowing surgeons to create hi-tech, virtual models of their patients before operations, such as knee and hip joints, and make the precise instruments using 3D printing technology, which could radically improve both the effectiveness of the surgery as well as reduce recovery times.