For the first time in Tamil Nadu, an 8-year-old boy’s knee joint and limb was saved from bone cancer by using 3D Printing Technology at the Apollo Proton Cancer Centre.

For the first time in Tamil Nadu, Apollo Proton Cancer Centre has successfully performed a 3D printing technique to save the knee joint and limb of an 8-year-old boy suffering from bone cancer. The family of Master Akhilan from Madurai (Ramanathapuram) approached Apollo Proton Cancer Centre where he was diagnosed with non-metastatic osteosarcoma of his left proximal tibia.

In the procedure, the bone containing the tumor was sterilized with a single fraction of radiation to kill the tumor cells and the same bone was re-implanted. Owing to the small piece of bone remaining proximally, a 3D printed customized plate was designed which ensured near perfect reduction and stabilization of the bone.The surgery was performed by an experienced team led by Dr. Vishnu Ramanujan, Consultant, Orthopaedic Oncology& Dr RadhakrishnanSatheesan, Senior Consultant- Paediatric Surgeryand Dr Srinivas Chillukuri, Senior Consultant- Radiation Oncology(Paediatric) at Apollo Proton Cancer Centre in January 2022. The patient is recovering and will be able to ride a bicycle again in a few months.

Read more about how Apollo Proton Cancer Center used novel technique to save an 8-year-old boy’s knee joint and limb.