World's First 'Neck Replacement' Surgery Completed in Shanghai 8 Years Ago: Patient Remains Healthy

Background

In 2017, a 28-year-old woman referred to as Xiao Wen experienced persistent neck pain along with numbness and weakness in her right upper limb. Diagnosis revealed a giant chondrosarcoma tumor involving the attachments and paravertebral areas of the C2 to C7 vertebrae. The tumor had caused tracheal displacement, presenting extreme surgical difficulty and risk. Chondrosarcoma is a malignant tumor that recurs easily and responds poorly to radiation and chemotherapy, making thorough surgical resection critical for potential cure. Xiao Wen was referred to Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, home to the Changzheng Spine Tumor Center, reported as Asia's largest facility dedicated to spinal tumor treatment.

What was achieved

Professor Xiao Jianru, director of bone tumor surgery, led a team that in July 2017 carried out what reports describe as the world's first resection of a giant cervical chondrosarcoma spanning six vertebral segments combined with implantation of a 3D-printed total cervical artificial vertebral body. The two-stage operation via posterior and anterior approaches lasted 13 hours in total. The tumor was removed intact, the custom 14-centimeter titanium alloy prosthesis was placed, and the patient experienced no serious complications. In 2025, eight years after the procedure and on her eighth annual follow-up visit accompanied by her father, the patient was reported tumor-free with no recurrence. She had returned to society and family with a good quality of life. Academician Lu Bingheng, known as the father of 3D printing in China, commented that the patient's eight-year tumor-free survival and reintegration into society validated the Chinese-developed implant and the team's leadership.

How it works

After imaging with CT and MRI, the surgical team created a patient-specific 14-centimeter titanium alloy artificial vertebral body via 3D printing based on a 1:1 model. The prosthesis featured a spongy microporous structure to facilitate bone ingrowth and integration. It included a central channel for allograft bone placement to promote biological fusion and was contoured to match the patient's cervical anatomy, particularly the atlantoaxial joint. Fixation used screws at the superior end into the atlas lateral mass and inferiorly with vertebral body and endplate screws designed for anti-pullout and anti-rotation stability. The surgery was performed in two stages to safely resect the tumor while protecting nearby carotid artery, cervical nerves, and spinal cord. A related 2019 journal report described customized whole-cervical reconstruction from C1 to T1 using piezoelectric surgery for precise tumor-free margins and the 3D-printed prosthesis, with favorable recovery and no subsidence or recurrence at follow-up.

What it means for international patients

Shanghai Changzheng Hospital manages complex spinal tumor cases and has infrastructure for international patients, including Special Needs or VIP services that accommodate foreign nationals with passport-based registration and coordination support. The hospital's documented experience with innovative 3D-printed spinal reconstructions for tumors may be relevant for medical tourists with similar advanced spinal oncology needs. Patients should contact the hospital directly for review of their medical records, imaging, and pathology to determine eligibility, as suitability depends on individual diagnostic details, tumor characteristics, and multidisciplinary assessment. Availability of language support or specific services must be confirmed with the hospital.

About the hospital

Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, officially the Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, is a Grade 3A tertiary general hospital located at 415 Fengyang Road in Shanghai's Huangpu District with a history dating to 1900. It integrates clinical care, teaching, and research. The Bone Tumor Surgery Department and Changzheng Spine Tumor Center, led by Professor Xiao Jianru, is recognized as one of the largest centers for spinal tumor treatment, handling over 1,500 cases annually and pioneering multiple techniques in the field. The hospital maintains strengths in orthopedics, spinal surgery, neurosurgery, and urology. It offers Special Needs (VIP) medical services that support international patients.