SURGEONS at Northwick Park Hospital used 3D technology to reconstruct a Ruislip man’s jaw by using part of his leg bone.

Albert Goodman’s jaw was first put together as a 3D computer model, enabling surgeons to plan incisions and cuts to within a millimetre.

The blueprint was then used to guide them in the operating theatre.

Mr Goodman, 88, had been in constant pain for several years and unknowingly suffered a fractured jaw after the bone was weakened by previous radiotherapy treatment for cancer.

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Doctors were initially reluctant to suggest a procedure given his age, but his persistence paid off.

Mr Goodman, a former ambulance technician, said: “I didn’t even know my jaw had been fractured. I simply struggled on to a point where I could barely open my mouth and only eat liquefied food. I ended up losing two and a half stone.”

Surgeon Abdul Ahmed added: “Virtual surgery saves time and allows us to be far more accurate, so we can get straight down to business. It’s a real game changer and the technology is only going to get better.”

The pair share a love of golf and Mr Goodman would like nothing better than to get back on the course.

“I haven’t manged it yet because my leg still feels quite weak but hopefully I can tee off again one day,” he said.