3D surgical procedure launched at Bahrain's SMC

A pioneering surgical procedure has been launched at Bahrain’s main hospital which is expected to reduce waiting time and cost for patients.

Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC) has acquired the provisions to use 3D printing in skull transplantation at its neurosurgery unit, making it the first healthcare facility in the country to apply this technology in its treatment services.

According to the Health Ministry, the new technology is expected to provide fast, accurate and economical solutions.

The procedure involves a custom-built synthetic version of the body part of the patient replacing the injured part.

SMC consultant neurosurgeon Dr Nabil Hamid revealed that the facility was set up by the in-house team. “It is the result of constructive co-operation among all members of the neurosurgery unit team,” he said.

“In the past, cranial transplantation cost from BD3,000 to BD4,000 per patient, and the patient had to wait for no less than two weeks until the necessary requirements for his health condition and the surgical operation were met,” said a ministry statement yesterday.

“However, given the provision (3D technology) at SMC, the waiting time for the patient has been greatly reduced, and it is possible to provide the treatment service in a period not exceeding five days, and at a low financial cost.”

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