Chinese man to have skull rebuilt with help of 3D printer

A medical staff displays a titanium mesh produced by a 3D printer before surgery to place it in the head of a patient surnamed Hu, at a hospital in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, on Aug 27, 2014. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
A medical staff displays a titanium mesh produced by a 3D printer before surgery to place it in the head of a patient surnamed Hu, at a hospital in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, on Aug 27, 2014. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
A patient surnamed Hu goes through a medical check before surgery at a hospital in Xi'an, Shaanxi province on Aug 27, 2014. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
A patient surnamed Hu goes through a medical check before surgery at a hospital in Xi'an, Shaanxi province on Aug 27, 2014. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

A Chinese man left with a large chunk missing from his skull after an accident will have his head rebuilt with the help of a 3D printer.

The 46-year-old farmer, surnamed Hu, was injured after he fell from the third floor of a building, Reuters reported.

Doctors in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, are preparing to put a titanium mesh, produced by a 3D printer, into Mr Hu's head.

If the operation is successful, it will help him rebuild the shape of his skull.

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