Patna: Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS), along with the maxillofacial unit of Post Graduate Institute of Dental Education and Research (PGIDER), operated on a 16-year-old girl from Begusarai with severe temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis, which had left her unable to open her mouth for eight years.IGIMS said the procedure was the first of its kind in Bihar, involving total temporomandibular joint reconstruction (TJR) using a 3D-printed patient-specific implant (PSI). Her mouth opening was less than half a finger’s width. The team released the fused and immobilised TMJ and reconstructed it using the customised implant.Head of maxillofacial unit at IGIMS, Dr Priyankar Singh, said the procedure was carried out on Friday and lasted nearly three hours. The girl had been on a liquid diet for eight years as she could not open her mouth. “We will keep her under observation for at least five days,” he said, adding many such cases occur in Bihar, mainly after injuries ignored and not treated on time.IGIMS director Dr Bindey Kumar and deputy director Dr Vibhuti Prasanna Sinha welcomed the achievement.The PSI was developed with contributions from Dr Kavita, medical head of the PM DevINE 3D Printing Centre of Excellence at I4IC, Guwahati. The maxillofacial surgical team comprised Dr Akash, Dr Abhishek, Dr Apurva and Dr Jawed. The PGIDER senior resident team included Dr Yash, Dr Meher, Dr Sudhanshu and Dr Aparajita Pandey.Anaesthesia and airway management were challenging. The team managed intubation using a fibreoptic bronchoscope under Dr P K Dubey, head of the anaesthesia department. Dr Nitin, Dr Akrity, Dr Avinash and Dr Krity were part of the anaesthesia team. The operation theatre team included Pranav G Kurup, Pramudit and Ravi.“The operation marks a step towards integrating advanced technology, indigenous 3D printing and multidisciplinary expertise in complex reconstructive surgeries at the institute,” read an IGIMS press release.
