A World First in Pediatric Cancer Surgery
Vietnam’s Vinmec Healthcare System Saves Youngest Patient with 3D-Printed Femur Implant
A groundbreaking case in pediatric oncology has emerged from Vietnam as Vinmec performs its first total femoral replacement for world’s youngest cancer patient.
An 8-year-old osteosarcoma patient received a fully customized, 3D-printed femoral implant designed to support both immediate function and future growth. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, this marks the first documented instance of a total femur replacement using a 3D-printed, growth-adaptive implant in a pediatric patient.
Vietnam’s Vinmec healthcare system is pioneering femoral implant surgery positions Vietnam as a rising innovator in high-tech medicine.
The patient was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, an aggressive form of bone cancer that had fully infiltrated his femur. For most hospitals, amputation was considered the viable life-saving option. Conventional prosthetics available internationally were unsuitable for a growing child, and there were few, if any, precedents for performing such a complex reconstructive procedure in pediatric cases.
Refusing to accept limb loss, Duc’s mother sought alternatives beyond the standard protocols. Her unwavering determination pushed Vinmec’s clinical team to pursue a bold, uncharted solution. A multidisciplinary team, comprising specialists in orthopedics, oncology, diagnostic imaging, pathology, and clinical pharmacy, convened multiple case conferences to develop a highly personalized surgical strategy.
“We contacted foreign manufacturers but there was no suitable design. Self-manufacturing the equipment allows us to be proactive in treatment, it also paves the way for a new direction for Vietnamese medicine.”, said MSc. Dr. Tran Duc Thanh, who was directly engaged in the surgery.
The team ultimately adopted a two-stage surgical plan.
In January 2024, Duc underwent the first operation to remove the tumor and insert a temporary cement graft to preserve the structural integrity of the leg. By May 2025, once his condition had stabilized, the temporary implant was replaced with a fully customized, 3D-printed titanium femur.
Doctors at Vietnam's Vinmec Healthcare System perform a groundbreaking surgery using a 3D-printed femur implant—the world’s first of its kind on the youngest pediatric cancer patient.
The implant, co-developed with biomedical engineers at VinUni’s 3D Lab and entirely manufactured in Vietnam, featured a modular, growth-adaptive design.
This approach marks a major advancement in pediatric orthopedic oncology, not just for Vietnam, but for the entire Southeast Asia region. It also reflects a broader regional trend, as 3D printing becomes a cornerstone of personalized care. According to Metatech Insights, the Asia Pacific healthcare 3D printing market is valued at USD 1.04 billion in 2025 and is projected to exceed USD 6.7 billion by 2035.
Against this momentum, Vinmec’s pioneering femoral implant surgery positions Vietnam as a rising innovator in high-tech medicine.
“The surgery represented a breakthrough in complex techniques and the evidence for sound collaboration in the multidisciplinary medical team. Both the life and limb of the child were kept intact.", Prof. Dr. Tran Trung Dung, Director of the Orthopedic Council, Vinmec Healthcare System, said in a release. “We believe that modern medicine and compassion should go side by side.”
Now, Duc is walking again, supported by physical therapy, with no signs of infection or implant rejection. His mother, who had stood firm against the prospect of amputation, now sees her son reclaiming not just mobility, but a renewed sense of childhood.
