Mashudu Tshifularo, a professor at the University of Pretoria made history by performing the world’s first 3D-printed middle-ear replacement surgery in 2019. Based in South Africa, Tshifularo used innovative 3D technology to print the bones that make up the middle ear (hammer, anvil, stirrup and the ossicles) and successfully implanted the model into a trauma patient. “By replacing only the ossicles that aren’t functioning properly, the procedure carries significantly less risk than known prostheses and their associated surgical procedures. We will 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,” Tshifularo said, according to Good Things Guy. Tshifularo — originally from Venda in Limpopo — is the Head of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at the University of Pretoria and considered the top Ear, Nose, Throat (ENT) specialist in the country. Under his leadership...