In recent years, 3D printing technology has become a well-known innovation in the medical field. Hospitals around the world have successfully applied this technology in clinical settings, making once unimaginable procedures a reality. From 3D-printed ankles and prosthetic hands to 3D-printed ears, these advancements have transformed the way we approach medical treatments.
Three months after birth, a baby known as "Morning" (a pseudonym) was hospitalized multiple times due to repeated pneumonia. After a detailed medical examination, doctors discovered that the child had a congenital heart defect—specifically, holes in the heart. Immediate surgery was necessary, but the first operation did not go as planned. The surgeon found more holes than initially expected, and the child could not be taken off the ventilator afterward. Faced with uncertainty, the medical team decided to use 3D printing to create a replica of the child’s heart. This allowed them to practice the surgery repeatedly, improving their precision before the second operation. Finally, the surgery was successful, and the child was able to recover.
[Image: A 3D-printed heart model used in the operation]
**A 3-Month-Old Baby Diagnosed with Congenital Heart Disease**
From the moment he was born, Morning faced health challenges. His body was weak, and he required frequent hospital visits. By the time he was three months old, he had been hospitalized three times due to pneumonia, which raised serious concerns among his parents.
In early July, the family took him to Nanjing Children's Hospital for further evaluation. After reviewing his medical history, the doctors suspected a heart condition and referred him to the cardiothoracic surgery department.
Dr. Sun Jian, deputy chief physician at the department, conducted a thorough examination and confirmed that Morning had a severe and complex form of congenital heart disease. He had multiple ventricular septal defects and a large atrial septal defect larger than 2 cm. In simpler terms, there were holes in the heart walls, allowing blood to mix and causing high pulmonary pressure, leading to frequent lung infections. During the interview, Dr. Sun also noted that the mother had a history of congenital heart disease, suggesting a possible hereditary link.
**Should They Proceed with Surgery?**
"The child needs surgery as soon as possible," Dr. Sun told the parents. However, due to the complexity of the condition and the child's small size, the risks were extremely high. The family was deeply conflicted—should they proceed with the surgery or not?
Morning's father shared that the mother had undergone heart surgery as a child and had struggled with her health afterward. As a result, she had difficulty conceiving, and the family cherished the child dearly. Despite the emotional struggle, Dr. Sun carefully explained the surgical plan and the potential benefits. Eventually, the family agreed to proceed with the operation.
[Image: A 3D-printed heart model used for pre-surgery planning]
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