Open AccessClinical Application of Three-Dimensional Printing of Polycaprolactone/Beta-Tricalcium Phosphate Implants for Cranial Reconstruction
Author(s) -
Hojin Park,
Jong Woo Choi,
Woo Shik Jeong
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
the journal of craniofacial surgery/the journal of craniofacial surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.515
H-Index - 73
eISSN - 1536-3732
pISSN - 1049-2275
DOI - 10.1097/scs.0000000000008595
Subject(s) - cranioplasty , medicine , polycaprolactone , implant , biomedical engineering , surgery , materials science , skull , composite material , polymer
Polycaprolactone (PCL) implants are a biodegradable polymeric material with appropriate mechanical strength and durability for use in cranioplasty. They can be manufactured as patient- customized implants using a three-dimensional (3D) printer. Herein, the authors aimed to share our experience in cranioplasty of patients with deformed and asymmetric skulls using PCL/beta- tricalcium phosphate (ß-TCP) implants.Seven patients underwent cranioplasty using patient-specific PCL/ß-TCP implants. Cranial computed tomography images were converted to a 3D model and mirrored to design a patient-specific implant. Based on the 3D simulation, an implant was 3D printed using PCL/ß-TCP. A 6-month follow-up was conducted with periodic visits and computed tomography scans. Symmetry after surgery and complications were evaluated.Postoperatively, the soft tissue volumes increased to 15.8 ± 17.2 cm 3 and 14.9 ± 15.7 cm 3 at 2 weeks and 6 months of follow-up, respectively. The volume change from 2 weeks to 6 months was -4.4 ± 2.5%. Six patients achieved complete symmetry after cranioplasty, whereas 1 patient noticed partial symmetry. The symmetry remained unchanged at 6 months of follow-up. Upon palpation to assess smoothness, 6 patients exhibited a smooth edge interface, whereas 1 patient had a slightly irregular edge.Based on these findings, 3D-printed PCL/ß-TCP implants are an excellent material for cranioplasty, and a favorable cosmetic outcome can be achieved. Specifically, these novel PCL/ß-TCP implants have good biocompatibility and mechanical strength without any postoperative foreign body reaction.