Polymer chemistry is printing noses

By Hayley Bennett2021-07-01T09:32:00

A cartoon of scientists working in a factory making human noses

Source: © Dan Bright

Learn more about a novel application of polymer chemistry to help reconstruct the faces of skin cancer patients

A rhinoplasty is not just for celebrity nose jobs, but is also used to help skin cancer patients. Often, when someone undergoes facial reconstruction due to damage from skin cancer, the surgeon takes some cartilage from their ribs to implant in their face, which unfortunately introduces a risk to the patient’s lungs.

Scientists have a found a less risky way to source cartilidge – by 3D-printing noses in the lab instead. Read on to learn more about this novel application of polymer chemistry in the medical field.

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