Image showing Drglma' s reconstructed nose Photo: screenshot from the Wechat account of the Shaanxi Media Convergence

A team of experts from Xi'an Jiaotong University in Northwest China's Shaanxi Province traveled to the remote highlands of western Southwest China's Sichuan Province recently, bringing 3D bio-printing and bionic tissue engineering technology to help two children, both disfigured by weasel attacks in early childhood, regain normal lives, reported the Shaanxi Media Convergence (SMC) on Monday.

Ten-year-old Drglma and 14-year-old Lhamg come from herding communities in Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, in Sichuan Province, at altitudes above 4,000 meters. They share similar experiences: attacked by weasels as infants, their noses were left severely damaged. Due to limited local medical resources and their families' financial hardship, their noses could not be repaired for a decade, causing serious harm to their quality of life and psychological wellbeing, said the SMC.

Upon learning of their condition, the expert team donated prosthetic noses to Drglma and Lhamg. All future replacements required during their growth to adulthood will be provided free of charge to support their healthy development.

According to the experts, breakthroughs in 3D bio-printing and bionic tissue engineering made this possible. After conducting 3D scans of the children's heads, they used generative AI with customized techniques to construct prosthetic nose models precisely matching the residual tissue. The prostheses then went through molding, shaping, and coloring, achieving a seamless fit with the children's facial structures and fully matched skin tones.
The prosthetic noses for Drglma and Lhamg have been completed and will be fitted in the near future, the SMC said.

Last August, the same team also helped a four-year-old girl in Ganzi whose nose was largely bitten off in a weasel attack. Using AI-based data collection and 3D printing, they successfully created her new nose too, the SMC said.

The experts noted that these humanitarian efforts are not only examples of medical achievement but also touching demonstrations of compassion. Going forward, they plan to collaborate with the Chinese Red Cross Foundation to build a cooperation model, raising targeted funds to cover the costs of prosthesis customization, transport, and postoperative follow-up, so that more patients who lose noses, ears, or other external organs can regain confidence.

Global Times