The humerus proximal endoprosthesis will significantly cut medical costs for patients needing an artificial device.

“The quality of the locally-made humerus proximal endoprosthesis is as good as the imported ones,” Dr Piya Kiatisevi, an orthopaedist at Lerdsin Hospital, said yesterday. “The local device has proven practical for all 10 patients in approved human trials.”

He said that patients have not developed any complications from the device and have not reported dislocations over the past two years.

The Thai humerus proximal endoprosthesis was made possible through collaboration with Lerdsin Hospital, the Royal College of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) and the Cosmo Meditech Company.

Dr Kriskrai Sitthiseripratip, a senior researcher at the NSTDA National Metal and Materials Technology Centre, said Cosmo Meditech was in the process of seeking a patent from the NSTDA. “After it gets a patent, it will apply for industrial standard certification before producing the innovative device for commercial purposes,” he said.

Medical Services Department deputy chief Prapon Tangsrikertikul said each imported humerus proximal endoprosthesis costs patients between Bt300,000 and Bt400,000.

“Such type of treatment has not yet been covered by the universal coverage scheme,” he said.

The device is made of a metallic mixture of cobalt and chromium, and top-grade titanium.

With a good response to chemotherapy and surgery, primary bone cancer patients still have up to a 60 per cent chance of survival. “This humerus proximal endoprosthesis will increase their quality of life in the post-surgery period.”