The use of a 3D-printed prosthesis in a Great Hornbill (Buceros bicornis) with squamous cell carcinoma of the casque

PLoS One. 2019 Aug 13;14(8):e0220922. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0220922. eCollection 2019.

Abstract

The advent of new technologies in medical imaging and 3D printing in recent years has made customization of surgical tools and implants more accessible, revolutionizing many surgical fields. In many human diseases, these implants have led to superior surgical outcomes and greatly improved patients' quality of life. Thus, it is of great interest to apply these technologies to the treatment of animal diseases. In this study, we report the use of computed tomography (CT) and 3D printing for the treatment of a Great Hornbill at Jurong Bird Park that was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the casque. A 3D printed prosthesis that perfectly fitted the subject was implanted to replace its resected casque. The subject exhibited natural eating behaviour with no post-operative complications. Using this case as an example, the positive outcomes suggest a great potential in applying these technologies to the treatment of other wildlife diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bird Diseases* / diagnostic imaging
  • Bird Diseases* / surgery
  • Birds*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* / diagnostic imaging
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* / surgery
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* / veterinary
  • Printing, Three-Dimensional*
  • Prostheses and Implants*
  • Prosthesis Design
  • Prosthesis Implantation
  • Skull Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Skull Neoplasms* / surgery
  • Skull Neoplasms* / veterinary
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed*

Grants and funding

The 3D printing related design and research is supported by the National Research Foundation, Prime Minister's Office, Singapore under its International Research Centres in Singapore Funding Initiative. The funder had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.