In a striking blend of resilience and technology, UK doctors have used 3D printing to rebuild the face of 75-year-old cyclist Dave Richards, who suffered catastrophic injuries after being hit by a drunk, speeding driver. The collision left Richards with full-thickness facial burns, fractures in his ribs, a damaged pelvis, and severe trauma to his back. Surgeons initially tried to save his eye but ultimately had to remove it to prevent a life-threatening infection from spreading along the optic nerve to his brain.
During his long recovery, Richards underwent complex reconstructive surgery, including a free flap procedure, where tissue with its own blood vessels was transferred from another part of his body to his neck to restore facial coverage. He was later referred to Bristol’s 3D Medical Center, the first NHS facility to integrate 3D scanning, design, and printing, where he received a…
