The South African who made medical history using 3D-printed bones
In 2019, Mashudu Tshifularo and a team of surgeons performed the world’s first 3D printed ear transplant at Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Pretoria, South Africa.
Tshifularo has undergone medical training at several institutions, including the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) in South Africa, Glasgow University in the United Kingdom, the Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) in South Africa, and the College of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA).
His contributions to medicine have been recognised with numerous accolades, including the Hamilton Naki Award for pioneering the world’s first 3D middle ear implant/transplant.
During his career, he has received the African Genius Award, been listed in the American Marquis Who’s Who in World Medicine, been recognised as one of FORBES’ Top 100 African Innovators in medicine, and named GQ Health Man of the Year.
Tshifularo practices at various medical facilities throughout Gauteng, including Botshilu Private Hospital in Soshanguve and Mediclinic Medforum in Pretoria, where he practices privately.
He is also a professor at the University of Pretoria, where he is the Head of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology (ENT).
Additionally, he conducts his clinical trials at Steve Biko Academic Hospital, where he leads the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery.
When reflecting on his greatest achievement, Tshifularo acknowledged the world’s first middle ear transplant using 3D technology.
He said the date of the “ground-breaking” operation was selected as it was the date that he buried his mother five years prior.
“It’s proof that the fourth industrial revolution is here because I had to use the 3D technology. I was not even aware that I was in the forefront, or that I was the first,” he told GQ Magazine.
“This tells us that we are sitting with potential, all of us, including the youth and the young ones; that there’s something you can do, that can change the world,” he said.
“I always say that it’s good to be celebrated when you’re still alive. So, I’m very thankful to the man above that I’ve done something.”
Tshifularo told the University of Pretoria that he would have chosen to become a lawyer or a veterinary surgeon if he had not become a medical academic professor.
The world’s first 3D printed bone middle ear transplant
On 13 March 2019, Mashudu Tshifularo and his team from the faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Pretoria conducted the world’s first middle ear transplant using 3D printed bones.
The procedure aimed to address hearing loss caused by middle ear issues, which may result from congenital defects, infections, trauma, or metabolic diseases.
The surgery, which is suitable for everyone, including newborns, has already benefited two patients.
On the date of the first middle ear transplant using 3D technology, Tshifularo performed the procedure on a patient born with an underdeveloped middle ear, replacing the hammer, anvil, and stirrup—the ossicles that make up the middle ear.
This procedure uses 3D printing technology to create these bones, which are then used during surgery to reconstruct the ossicles.
“By replacing only the ossicles that aren’t functioning properly, the procedure carries significantly less risk than known prostheses and their associated surgical procedures,” Tshifularo said.
“We use titanium for this procedure, which is biocompatible. We use an endoscope to do the replacement, so the transplant is expected to be quick, with minimal scarring.”
The surgery aims to improve ossicle reconstruction during middle ear procedures, such as ossiculoplasty and stapedectomy, thereby increasing the likelihood of success with minimal traumatic intrusion.
Tshifularo’s procedure aims to reduce the risk of facial nerve paralysis, which can occur if the facial nerve, located in the middle ear, is damaged during traditional surgery.
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