Grandfather Receives First NHS 3D-Printed Face After Horrific Cycling Accident
SOCIAL TRENDS — A 75-year-old grandfather from Devon has become the first patient under the National Health Service (NHS) to receive a 3D-printed facial prosthetic, following devastating injuries sustained in a cycling accident caused by a drunk driver. The breakthrough marks a major step forward for medical innovation in reconstructive surgery and patient recovery.
A Tragic Accident That Changed Everything
The victim, identified as Dave Richards, was cycling when he was struck by a drunk driver, leaving him with catastrophic injuries. His face suffered full-thickness burns on one side, damaging his eye, nose, and neck. Surgeons at his local hospital performed life-saving procedures to stabilize him, but the scarring left behind was extensive. For months, Richards endured both physical and emotional pain as he faced the daunting process of recovery. After several surgeries, doctors introduced him to a revolutionary treatment approach that would ultimately change his life.
A 3D-Printed Solution Brings Hope
The Bristol 3D Medical Centre, working alongside NHS specialists, developed a prosthetic solution using advanced 3D scanning and printing technology. The team created a highly realistic prosthetic that perfectly matched Richards’ skin tone, eye color, hair, and facial contours, restoring not just his appearance but also his confidence. This personalized prosthetic was engineered through digital facial mapping, allowing precise replication of the undamaged side of his face. Richards said the innovation had already helped him regain his sense of self, calling the result “life-changing.”
A New Era in Medical Technology
Experts have hailed the case as a milestone for 3D medical printing in reconstructive care, with the NHS emphasizing its potential for patients suffering from severe trauma, burns, or facial disfigurement. The technology, previously used in specialized research hospitals, is now entering wider clinical use. The successful procedure could pave the way for similar treatments across the UK and beyond, significantly reducing recovery time and improving psychological outcomes for patients. For Richards, it’s not just a scientific triumph — it’s a second chance at normal life.
As he continues to heal, Richards says the 3D-printed prosthetic has given him newfound confidence and comfort, proving how innovation and compassion can work hand in hand to transform lives.
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