Raresome 3-D Printed first Metacarpal bone Reconstruction Procedure at AIIMS Raipur

A highly complex operation was performed by the Department of Orthopaedics, AIIMS Raipur, by a team of surgeons led by Prof. Dr Alok Chandra Agrawal to save the thumb of a 28-year female from Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh.

The patient had a Giant cell tumour of the first metacarpal of the left thumb, causing severe pain and restricted movement. The tumour had affected over 80% of the metacarpal bone, and the traditional procedure (fusion of the carpometacarpal joint) would have led to poor functional outcomes.

To preserve the hand’s function, a team of specialist joint replacement surgeons conducted an en-bloc resection of the tumour and replaced the affected bone with a 3D-printed titanium bone implant. Additionally, the ligaments were reconstructed using suture anchors. The patient is recovering well post-operatively and has regained movement in the thumb.

This rare surgery, involving the reconstruction of small bones, marks a significant achievement as it was the first time this procedure was performed in India. The team involved Prof. Dr. Alok Chandra Agrawal, Dr. Harshal Sakale, Dr Ankit Kumar Garg, Dr Jagpreet Singh from the Department of Orthopaedics and Dr Mamta from the Department of Anaesthesia.

Lt. Gen. Ashok Jindal (Retd), Executive Director of AIIMS Raipur, commended the involved departments at AIIMS for their initiative in performing such rare procedures, contributing significantly to the advancement of healthcare at AIIMS Raipur.