By Susan Buckles – Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is using 3D printing as a new option to heal the larynx after cancer or traumatic injury.
David Lott, M.D., a Mayo Clinic otolaryngologist and head and neck surgeon, is an expert who can speak about a pioneering procedure using 3D bioimplants and tissue engineering to regenerate the larynx, more commonly known as the voice box. Dr. Lott also is the associate director of the Center for Regenerative Biotherapeutics at Mayo Clinic in Arizona. The center supports his work as part of its objective of bringing new cures to patients with rare and complex disorders.
“In my lab, we’ve adopted a saying ‘regenerating hope; restoring lives,'” says Dr. Lott. “In the past, the only option was to remove the entire larynx. With new high-tech regenerative tools, now we can remove only the disease and preserve the healthy portion of the larynx. We see a lot of patients who could benefit from some level of laryngeal regeneration.”