3D technology helps eliminate complications for patients after hip replacement

Recently, Vinmec Times City International General Hospital (Hanoi) successfully performed surgery using 3D technology for a patient with a very complex and rare pseudotumor, caused by dangerous complications from the wear of an old generation artificial joint.

Recently, Vinmec Times City International General Hospital (Hanoi) successfully performed surgery using 3D technology for a patient with a very complex and rare pseudotumor, caused by dangerous complications from the wear of an old generation artificial joint.

Mr. T. (Thanh Hoa) came to Vinmec Hospital for examination in a state of being dependent on a wheelchair due to constant pain in his hip joint, along with signs of kidney failure due to metal ion poisoning. According to his family, other hospitals suspected that he had bone cancer, which made everyone depressed.

The doctor is taking care of the patient after surgery.

In 2006, Mr. T. was one of the first generation of patients in Vietnam to have both hip joints replaced using 3D technology. This is an effective method to restore function of joints damaged by aging or trauma.

However, the old generation of artificial joints has a suboptimal material design, causing abrasion between the metal head and the plastic joint surface. This process releases metal and plastic particles, causing the risk of inflammation, poisoning and serious complications for the patient.

This is the cause of Mr. T's severe metal ion poisoning. This rare complication not only causes osteomyelitis but also leads to the formation of a large pseudotumor in the pelvis.

During his examination at Vinmec, Mr. T. was assigned to undergo specialized tests to determine whether the tumor in his pelvis was a malignant bone tumor or a pseudotumor.

In Vietnam, this pseudotumor accounts for less than 1% of hip replacement cases, making the diagnosis process complicated and easily confused with cancer.

After evaluation, the doctors determined that 80% of this was a pseudotumor and indicated surgery. Under the leadership of Professor, Dr. Tran Trung Dung and Dr. Pham Trung Hieu, the team of doctors applied 3D technology to prepare the surgical plan, proactively handling both cases.

If it is a malignant tumor, the damaged pelvic bone must be removed. In the remaining case, if it is a pseudotumor, the inflammation must be cleaned and the bone must be reconstructed with artificial materials, preserving the pelvic bone as much as possible and replacing the hip joint.

The accurate diagnosis from the medical team at Vinmec has opened up new hope in the patient's treatment journey. At the same time, the surgical team also had to carefully select and prepare new hip joint materials to minimize the risk of metal poisoning for the patient.

"Metal poisoning complications due to artificial joint wear account for less than 5% of joint replacements worldwide, and mainly occur with older generation joints manufactured more than 20 years ago. If not detected promptly, patients may face dangerous complications, including kidney failure, before the pseudotumor is treated," said Prof. Dung.

The surgery was also extremely difficult because when opening the hip socket, the team of doctors discovered nearly half a liter of black, oily joint fluid accumulated around the old artificial joint, filled with metal and plastic filings. This is a sign of prolonged metal poisoning, causing damage to internal organs, especially the kidneys and heart.

After completely removing this pseudotumor containing black mucus, the doctors continued to use 3D technology to design a customized pelvic model, correcting the defects caused by bone loss with high precision.

The replacement hip joint uses ceramics, a highly inert material, which helps to minimize the release of metal filings and prevent the risk of metal poisoning later.

Thanks to advanced technology, surgery time and minimal invasiveness are reduced to the lowest level. The level of accuracy is also almost absolute and significantly reduces post-operative complications for patients.

The miracle was achieved. On the first day after surgery, Mr. T. was able to sit up and start walking again - a huge step forward after a long time in a wheelchair.

The kidney failure caused by metal poisoning has also been controlled, and kidney function is gradually recovering. Notably, after only one week, Mr. T. was able to walk without any support.

From complex and dangerous complications never seen before in Vietnam, Mr. T. miraculously recovered thanks to accurate and timely diagnosis, effective treatment by a team of highly specialized Vinmec doctors, combined with advanced 3D technology.

“I am very grateful to the Vinmec doctors for helping me regain my ability to walk. I can now take my wife out. After retiring, I promised to travel across Vietnam with her. Now I can fulfill my promise to my wife and let her experience her first flight. I love her so much!”, Mr. T. shared happily.

Source: https://baodautu.vn/cong-nghe-3d-giup-loai-bo-bien-chung-cho-benh-nhan-sau-khi-thay-khop-hang-d230805.html