Professor Pioneers 3D-Printed Middle Ear Transplants in South Africa

Why this is here: The surgery itself takes about three hours, and uses advanced robotics to remove damaged middle-ear bones and replace them with the 3D-printed titanium bones.

Professor Mashudu Tshifularo of the University of Pretoria begins clinical trials in June at Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Pretoria, South Africa. He and his team will test a new surgery for conductive hearing loss. The procedure replaces damaged middle-ear bones with 3D-printed titanium implants customized for each patient using advanced robotics.

Tshifularo first performed this surgery in 2019 on a 40-year-old man, marking the first time this technique was used globally. This method differs from standard treatments by recreating the exact size, shape, and position of the missing ear bones. The upcoming trials will include 45 patients with severe conductive hearing loss who require bone replacement.

The titanium implants are biocompatible, minimizing risk and scarring. While the initial surgery showed almost no complications, the trials must confirm these results across a larger group. The project relies on collaboration between several organizations and funding from the Motsepe Foundation, and further research will determine wider availability.