A New Method for Securing Dermal Substitutes and Skin Grafts to Difficult Portions of the Face Using a Custom 3D-Printed Facemask

Abstract

Management of third-degree facial burns remains one of the most difficult challenges in burn care. Patients with deep facial burns usually require gradual escharectomy, tangential excision of the wound, and resurfacing with full-thickness skin grafts or dermal substitutes associated with split-thickness skin grafts to provide better and superior cosmetic results. Immobilization of skin grafts and dermal substitutes by reducing shearing forces and hematoma formation underneath is paramount to improve success rates. Due to the irregular shape of the face, the proper immobilization of grafts with traditional methods is often difficult, especially over concave portions of the face. Herein, we report the original use of a custom three-dimensional printing facemask for securing dermal substitutes and skin grafts to difficult sites on the face.

Digital workflow for fabrication of bespoke facemask in burn rehabilitation with smartphone 3D scanner and desktop 3D printing: clinical case study

“…Wei et al also demonstrated the applicability of aforementioned approach in pediatric population [ 13 ]. In addition to HS prevention, Aguilar et al described the use of personilized 3D-printed facemask for securing dermal substitute and skin graft [ 14 ]. Patient’s face was scanned using portable 3D scanner.…”

“…Existing literature examined the use of 3D printed facial orthosis using rigid material [ 12 – 14 ]. However, in this pilot case study, in addition to rigid PLA-facemask, 3D-printed TPU-facemask was also assessed.…”

The Innovation Press

“…Broader applications in reconstructive microsurgery include identifying ideal perforator vessels with computed tomography angiograms and using these same patient images in VR/AR as an operative guide during flap harvest 20–22 . More specialized uses for 3D printing include the creation of customized face masks to support full-thickness skin grafts over concave areas of the face after third-degree facial burns, to minimize tension and shear forces of these grafts during recovery, and promote optimal healing 23 . Bioprinting, a burgeoning field in tissue engineering that focuses on printing tissue scaffolds and various cell types, also holds great promise for 3D printed tissues but is beyond the scope of this review.…”