World’s First 3D-Printed Windpipe Successfully Implanted in South Korea

In a historic medical breakthrough, scientists and doctors in South Korea have successfully implanted a 3D-printed windpipe (trachea) into a woman who lost part of her airway after thyroid cancer surgery. This achievement marks the first time in the world that a bioprinted trachea has been transplanted into a human being. 3D Mag+1

How the 3D-Printed Windpipe Was Made

The artificial windpipe was created using advanced 3D bioprinting technology. Unlike conventional implants made from metal or plastic, this trachea was printed with bio-inks containing living cells, including cartilage and mucosal cells. These cells were combined with a biodegradable polymer scaffold called polycaprolactone (PCL), which provided structural support while allowing new tissue to grow around it naturally. 3D Mag+1

To ensure a perfect fit, the medical team used detailed CT and MRI scans of the patient’s airway. The custom-designed trachea took less than two weeks to print and was implanted during a single half-day surgical procedure. 3D Printing

Remarkable Healing and Regeneration

Surgeons and doctors monitored the patient closely after the operation. Within just six months, they observed healthy blood vessel formation and tissue growth around the implanted windpipe — strong evidence that the body was accepting and integrating the new organ. Notably, the patient did not require immunosuppressant drugs because the implant was built using living cells that were compatible with her body. 3D Mag+1

This is a major milestone because traditional organ transplants often require long-term immune suppression to prevent rejection. The success of this implant shows the potential of regenerative medicine to bypass that limitation. 3D Mag

Who Led the Breakthrough

The pioneering project was led by a collaborative team from Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, T&R Biofab, and other research partners. This group included surgeons, bioengineers, and medical specialists who have been developing 3D bioprinting technology for years. 3D Printing

Experts say this achievement is not merely a one-off success, but a milestone that could pave the way for printing and transplanting other complex organs. Future developments may include 3D-printed lungs, kidneys, hearts, and more, all grown from a patient’s own cells. LinkedIn

Why This Matters to Medicine

This breakthrough represents a new era in regenerative medicine and organ transplantation. For patients who suffer from congenital defects, injuries, and cancer-related tissue loss, traditional treatments are often limited or risky. Personalized 3D-printed organs could one day offer customized solutions with higher success rates and fewer complications. BBC Science Focus

While this is just the beginning, the success of the 3D-printed trachea implant highlights how bioprinting technologies are evolving rapidly and transforming what was once considered science fiction into real clinical practice. 3D Mag