Apollo Hospitals unveils a novel 3D modelling technology, brings in high treatment precision & less trauma for patients!

Press Release

• 19-08-2021

Hyderabad : Apollo Hospitals in collaboration with Anatomiz3D Medtech Pvt Ltd, India's leading 'patient-specific' solution provider; has unveiled a revolutionary patient and treating surgeon friendly 3D modelling technology. As part of the initiative the hospital has establish a 3D-printing lab at Apollo Hospitals, Jubilee Hills. The 3D printing enables finetuning of surgical tools and prosthetic implants, to suit the varying needs of each patient, brings in high degree of treatment precision, less trauma and speedy recovery for patients. The technology is boon for treating complicated cases, especially for surgeries involving remote access with minimal damage to the surrounding tissue. 3D modelling technology helps to drastically reduce morbidity, mortality on the surgical table and set to revolutionize surgical treatment.

The novel technology enables to recreate the exact replica of patient anatomy from the CT or MRI scan. This feature assists the treating surgeon to visualize the anatomy ahead of the surgery, do pre-surgical planning, determine the clinical approach, and provide a precise communication to the patient and his attendants on the approach being adopted.

As medicine paces towards personalized care, 3D modelling technology will be a game changer. It bestows a plethora of possibilities, empowers the surgeons to see the hitherto blind spots, optimize the surgery with minimal harm to the tissue and surrounding organs. The uncertainty associated with surgery outcome will now be a thing of the past, says Dr Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Group.

The availability of the 3D image also opens up the possibility of pre-contouring of the implant to suit the patient anatomy, in instances where the generic implants are not an ideal fit. Since the generic implants are made to fit patients of varied anatomies and body structures, they are often a source of discomfort for patients. Such misfit implants lead to greater wear and tear and shorter implant life span, needing redo surgeries to fix the problem. However, with the aid of this technology, tailor made implants can be highly beneficial for patients. Customized 3D-printing will add enormous value through personalized medicine, especially for extremely critical surgeries of the brain, spine and remote access areas of the body. it amplifies pre-operative planning, leads to shorter operation duration, and helps mitigate the risk.

The 3D imaging technology also aid to customise the surgical tools as per the patient anatomy, prior to the surgery. Such customization ensures the cut or drill during surgery is at the right place, under the right angle and to the pre-measured depth, thus improving the quality of surgery, reducing OT time and patient trauma, besides enabling speedy recovery of the patient.

3D imaging technology affords new impetus to Apollo’s patient centric approach. The technology ushers in a never before ease for the treating surgeon and great comfort and convenience for the patient, says Mr Y Subramanyam, Regional CEO, Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad.

Dr Ravindra Babu, Asst. Director Medical Services, Apollo Hospitals, Jubilee Hills said, 3D modelling technology involves 3D printing. This technology is useful in at least three ways, one is in Operation Theatre, where the surgeons currently operate by  looking at the CT and MRI Scans, which are  2D images, now with this the Surgeon has a 3D vision, which enable him to perform very complex surgeries. This technology reduces patient trauma, the surgery becomes easier for the doctor. The other area is with regard to implants in the body of patients, these implants are of different sizes and the one closest to the size needed for the patient is implanted, with 3D technology the implant can be customised to the patient need, thereby the surgery outcome is much superior. We are also in a position to educate the students better with 3D technology, as they understand it better. This technology is going to be the future of medicine and brings in enormous benefits.  

Eminent specialists at Apollo Hospitals, successfully treated three patients with critical medical conditions, using 3D-printing and are vouching for the ease with which complex surgeries can be performed.     

Dr AGK Gokhale, Sr. Consultant, Heart and Lung Transplant Surgeon, Apollo Hospitals; performed a redo CABG for a patient who had left internal mammary artery grafting done nearly 25 years ago. The challenge was that the artery was stuck to the back of the sternum. Keeping it functional without damaging it while opening chest, was an absolute necessity to keep the patient alive, as all other vessels are almost 100% blocked. With the existing imaging technology the task was uphill and involved tremendous risk. 3D printing of the heart and graft enabled us to create a safe surgical pathway and avoid any pitfalls. It was amazingly helpful for dissection and for the success of the surgery, says Dr AGK Gokhale.

Dr Rooma Sinha, Hon Professor & Senior Consultant Gynaecologist, Laparoscopic & Robotic Surgeon, Apollo Hospitals, Jubilee Hills; performed a Robot assisted Laparoscopic Myomectomy using 3D model, for a complex myomectomy on a 31 year old unmarried women with multiple fibroids at odd locations. Abdominal examination revealed the mass to be clinically about 30-32 weeks uterine size which was irregular, hard in consistency and fixed. The myomectomy was challenging due to large volume of fibroids along with oddly located multiple fibroids. Being unmarried, she desired a minimal access surgery and it was also essential to preserve her future reproduction ability. 3D model immensely aided in orientation and identification of all intraoperative myomas during Robot assisted Myomectomy. In all twelve myomas of various sizes weighing 1215 gms, was removed through a minimal access surgery, says Dr Rooma Sinha.

Dr Rajeev Reddy, Consultant Orthopaedic Onco-surgeon and Sarcoma Specialist, Apollo Cancer Institute, Hyderabad; performed a delicate and highly complex surgery spanning over seven hours, to excise a large tumour from the complex anatomical zone of left sciatic notch. A 29 year old lady presented with pain in the left pelvis and history of being operated for a tumour in the region two years ago, at some other hospital. Diagnosis revealed her suffering from a recurrent bone cancer originating from the joint cartilage. The 3D model aided in overcoming the surgical challenges by distinctly projecting the extent of tumour and segregating the tumour from the normal bone. In fact the patient was able to walk the very next day, minimal invasion and limited damage to surrounding tissue during the surgery enabled this. Performing surgery without the help of 3D projection would have been highly demanding and the outcome wouldn’t have been so efficient, says Dr Rajeev Reddy.

A patient with minor salivary gland Tumour of Maxilla or facial bone was treated with 3D Printing technology. 3D printing assisted Radical maxillectomy, by enabling to plan the extent of resection  and  reduce operative time. It is also a very useful tool to demonstrate for teaching purposes, says Dr Chinnababu Sunkavalli, Sr. Robotic Surgical Oncologist, Apollo Cancer Institute, Hyderabad.  

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