- Professor Mashudu Tshifularo and his team at the University of Pretoria performed the world's first middle-ear surgery using 3D technology
- Thabo Moshiliwa, 40, and 62-year-old Simon Bohale were the first two people to have the surgery
- According to Prof Tshifularo, the surgery is a long-lasting solution to hearing loss and it is a more affordable procedure
Prof Tshifularo, who is the head of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at the University of Pretoria also known as Tuks, was the brain behind the breakthrough surgical procedure.
The Citizen reported that the procedure is a long-term solution to conductive hearing loss. Making it even more impressive, the surgery can be done on adult and children.
Legit.ng gathered that the surgery was performed at the Steve Biko Academic Hospital.
Forty-year-old Thabo Moshiliwa is the world's first recipient of the 3D-printed middle ear bone.
The medical team spent an hour and a half performing the surgery on Moshiliwa, whose ear trauma complicated the operation. But it was a success at last.
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The second patient, 62-year-old Simon Bohale, had an underdeveloped middle ear.
His occupation as a welder also contributed to his hearing loss and the conditioned worsened in 1983.
He said: “I am excited. I have had two surgeries before but was not 100% okay. I cannot wait to hear people when they speak to me.”
Prof Tshifularo added that the implant works in the same manner as a hip replacement - a procedure which he credited as his inspiration.
The professor said they chose the state hospital because of their desire to help people.
Some social media users were impressed with the procedure and they commended Prof Tshifularo and his team.
Rowan Sewchurran commented: "What a boss."
Tamarin Lloyd wrote: "How do I go about seeing a dr at Steve Biko who could possibly help me in this way. This would be amazing to be able to hear in both ears."
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Elizabeth Swartz added: "So proud of our father and leader."
In other news, in 2019, LaShyra Nolen popularly known as Lash became the first black woman to be elected president at Harvard Medical School (HMS).
Lash, who was born in Compton, California, said she found inspiration in the strength of women around her while growing up.
The medical student made the disclosure in an interview with Teen Vogue in which she said being the first black woman to be elected president of HMS would allow her to create opportunity for others like her to hold positions of leadership at the institution.
Lash said while applying to HMS, she did not see people who looked like her in student council or position of leadership.
She said it is important to show that black people can also be the face of a university.
According to Lash, the society she found herself has a way of implicitly reminding young black girls what they cannot achieve and what they cannot be, while explicitly giving the green light to white men.
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Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that Kiara Nelson, a mother who gave birth at the hospital disclosed that she had to complete her assignment not long after delivering her baby.
The fact that Kiara still managed to get all her assignments done not long after giving birth to a beautiful girl motivated many and stirred up commentary following her post on social media.
Kiara shared a photo of herself still on the hospital bed and disclosed that right after giving birth due to preeclampsia at 35 weeks earlier than expected, she had two assignments due the same day.
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Source: Legit.ng
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