D-printed implants just got one of their biggest real-world tests to date. Peking University Third Hospital has successfully implanted the first 3D-printed vertebra in a 12-year-old boy with cancer in his spinal cord. The bone substitute is made from titanium powder like many orthopedic implants, but promises to be both safer and longer-lasting than conventional replacements. Since it's designed to mimic the shape of the child's original vertebra, it doesn't need cement or screws to stay in place; healing should go faster, too. The construct is full of small holes that let natural bone grow inside, so it should eventually become a permanent, stable part of the spine that won't need adjustments at some point down the road.

3D打印植入假体最近在真实世界得到了一次重要验证。北京大学第三医院成功的在一个身患脊髓癌的12岁男孩身上植入了一个3D打印的脊柱。像许多整形外科所使用的假体一样，这个替代的骨骼是由钛金属粉末制成的。它被设计成模拟儿童本来的脊椎形状，所以并不需要粘合剂或者钉子来固定位置，病人的恢复过程也相应的会更快一些。假体的构造遍布着小孔，以便让人体自身的骨骼生长入它的内部，最终会变成脊椎的永久性的、稳定的一部分，且在未来无需专门的调整。

CCTV notes that the full results of this surgery won't be available for some time. He'll have to wear gear that keeps his head and neck still for the next three months, and it will likely take much longer than that before we know how well the implant holds up in real-world conditions. If everything goes smoothly, though, the surgery will be proof that 3D-printed bones are useful virtually anywhere in the body -- and, in some circumstances, might save your life.

据中国中央电视台的报道，这个手术的完整结果还有待观察。接受脊柱植入的男孩必须穿戴特殊的装置使他的头和颈部在接下来的三个月保持固定——在我们得知这个假体在实际生活中能否正常工作之前，这个过程有可能会花去更多的时间。但如果一切顺利的话，这个手术将会证明3D打印骨骼在身体任何部位都可以得到有效的应用，在某些情况下甚至能拯救你的生命。