NHS Fits First 3D‑Printed Removable Face Prosthesis

Seventy-five-year-old cyclist Dave Richards was severely injured in July 2021 when a drunk, distracted driver struck and dragged him, leaving him with crush injuries to his back, pelvis and ribs and full‑thickness burns to the left side of his face and neck. Surgeons removed his eye to avoid the risk of infection and rebuilt the side of his face with a large free‑flap transplant before he was referred to Reconstructive Prosthetics at the Bristol 3D Medical Centre in Frenchay, the first NHS site combining 3D scanning, design and printing for prosthetic body parts. The centre produced a removable 3D‑printed prosthesis (cheek, eye and nose) that matches his hair, eye colour and skin and fits precisely over the damaged area; Richards can affix it each morning and remove it at night. Richards said the process was not pleasant but has been transformative for his confidence after more than four years living with half a face. He has required follow‑up operations to release tightened scar tissue. The driver was sentenced to three years in prison (reports indicate release after 18 months).