Trainee transplant surgeon wins award for 3D printing

A trainee transplant surgeon at Guy’s and St Thomas’ has won the Royal Society of Medicine’s Norman Tanner Medal for his contribution to innovative surgical research and improvement of patient care.

Pankaj Chandak was awarded the prize by the Royal Society of Medicine for his work on using 3D printing to support highly complex kidney transplant surgery and to improve outcomes for children undergoing transplantation.

Based on Pankaj’s ideas, in November 2015 Guy’s and St Thomas ’ pioneered the world’s first use of 3D printing to aid kidney transplant surgery involving an adult donor and child recipient.

Pankaj says: “It’s a huge honour and I’m absolutely thrilled for this award that recognises the team's efforts in overcoming barriers to transplantation.

“It’s a great privilege to work with an inspirational team of surgeons and medical physicists at Guy’s and St Thomas’. Everyone at the Trust has been so supportive in developing our use of 3D printing and it’s fantastic that this new technique is now helping our patients.”

Named after a celebrated surgeon, the Norman Tanner Medal is awarded by the Royal Society of Medicine each year for original ideas and innovation by surgical trainees operating in all specialities.

Professor Nizam Mamode, Guy’s and St Thomas’ clinical lead for transplant surgery, says: “We’re all very proud of Pankaj’s achievements and it’s tremendous that his hard work has been recognised by the Royal Society of Medicine in this way. He’s an impressive talent and an asset to the Trust’s transplant team.”