A man's face reconstructed using 3D printing

CARDIFF, Wales, March 12 (UPI) -- A Welsh man may be among the first trauma patients to have 3D printing used for each part of the procedure to reconstruct his face, his doctors say.

Stephen Power of Cardiff was involved in a serious motorcycle accident, and since has had pioneering surgery to reconstruct his face using a series of 3D printed parts, the BBC reported.

His medical team involved experts in London and Newcastle, some of the world's pioneers in using 3D technology in surgery. They used custom printed models, guides, plates and implants to repair impact injuries.

In addition, the Centre of Applied Reconstructive Technologies in Surgery, collaborated with the team in Swansea and scientists at Cardiff Metropolitan University.

To try and restore the symmetry of Power's face, the surgical team used CT scans to create and print a symmetrical 3D model of Power's skull. Cutting guides were created and plates printed.

Maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Adrian Sugar said the 3D printing took away the guesswork from reconstructive work and made it much more precise.