Cyclist injured by drunk driver gets new face from NHS prosthetic centre

A cyclist injured by a drunk driver is the first to benefit from a unique NHS body parts printing centre, which built him a new 3D face.

Dave Richards, 75, was ‘lucky to survive’ the crash, which damaged his back and pelvis and saw him break multiple ribs on one side of his body.

He also received full-thickness burns to the side of his face, including his eye, nose and part of his neck.

During his recovery, he was referred to Reconstructive Prosthetics, which has just opened the Bristol 3D Medical Centre. It is the first of its kind in the UK to have 3D scanning, design and printing of this kind in a single NHS location.

The centre, based in Frenchay, Bristol, provides scientific and technical support to trauma patients through state-of-the-art digital technology and specialist reconstructive expertise.

Dave, from Devon, was able to use the services at the centre after the accident, now receiving a prosthetic that fits over his face and mimics his hair colour, eye colour and skin.

‘The surgeons tried to save my eye, but they were worried any infection could spread from my eye down the optic nerve to the brain, so the eye was removed,’ he explained.

‘The decision was then made to go for free flap, taking tissue with blood arteries and veins and plumbing it into my neck, the flap completely covering the side of my face.’

Dave said when the opportunity for a 3D prosthetic arrived,it opened a ‘whole range’ of possibilities for him.

‘When 3D capability came along, it opened up a whole range of possibilities. It is not the most pleasant of processes – they relied on various moulds and wax impressions from manual processes, they took lots of photos for a record of how it looked, and there was a lot involved in making the moulds and casts on your face by covering your nose and mouth.’

In the initial days of his recovery, Dave said he felt ‘vulnerable’, with it taking a long time for him to feel comfortable in his image.

The grandfather-of-four said working with the centre has been a surreal experience, which has helped him with his confidence and rehabilitation.

During Dave’s recovery at the BRI burns ward, he met two specialists who spoke to him about the potential for going down the route of prosthetics.

Amy Davey, Senior Reconstructive Scientist at NBT, said the 3D printers use advanced plastic resins with materials that are safe against the skin for long periods.

Dave continues to visit the Bristol 3D Medical Centre. He has also received a large orbital prosthesis and neck scar splints to help soften scar tissue.

‘It definitely has helped because it has put pressure on the scar line, softening the tissue and making life easier to wear my face prosthesis,’ he added.

The dedicated family man and sportsman said, despite his initial ‘sceptical’ feelings towards this treatment, he is happy he has followed through.

Dave started indoor cycling five months after the accident, and has been building up the confidence to cycle outside again.

The man who caused the accident was sentenced to three years and banned from driving for seven years.

Though it is believed he was released after one and a half years for good behaviour and as he pleaded guilty from the start.

Dave added: ‘As you can imagine, I am not best pleased with his reduced sentence as I very nearly lost my life and have to live with all the pain from my injuries daily.’

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