Auricular Reconstruction from Rib to 3D Printing

Abstract

The human ear imparts critical form and function and remains one of the most challenging facial features to reconstruct. Over the past century, surgeons have developed numerous techniques and materials for total auricular reconstruction. Refined costal cartilage techniques have remained the gold standard for the past half-century. Recent advancements with novel materials, tissue engineering and 3D printing provide immense potential; however, prohibitive costs and regulatory steps remain as barriers to clinical translation.

Modification of the cartilaginous framework for autologous ear reconstruction: Construction of a stable complete ring framework with grander highs and lows

“…The pedantic nature to perfect the framework and to have recognizable anatomical features is driven by both patients and the innovative biotechnologies. The advent of stem cell-seeded 3D scaffolds may negate the need to harvest and carve autologous cartilage but these technologies are not yet realized or within financial capabilities 3,4,25,26 . Great effort and endeavor are invested internationally to improve autologous ear reconstruction, whether to minimize or render unnecessary the process of cartilage harvest, or to refine the ear shape.…”

3D printing and thoracoscopy assisted MIPO in treatment of long-range comminuted rib fractures, a case report

“…The 3D printing technology has already brought about big improvements in various fields of medicine, especially orthopaedics [5–7] and also thoracic surgery [8–11]. This study used 3D printing technology, preoperative CT thin-layer scanning, reconstruction of 3D models based on scan results, and preparation of rib models using 3D printing techniques.…”

Generation of Ear Cartilage for Auricular Reconstruction

“…Patients undergoing repair with Medpor implants experience complications at a rate ranging from 4% to 6.31% even when treated by the most experienced surgeons. Complications can include postoperative infections, skin perforations, framework fracture, compression ischemia, capsule fibrosis, and framework dislocations (Reighard et al 2018). Meanwhile, the complication rate is even higher when using silastic implants (Berghaus 2007).…”

“…The fundamental principles of current autologous cartilage transplantation strategies were first described in the English language by Gillies (1920). Tanzer revolutionized the surgical procedure by paring down the original six-stage method to encompass only three to four total surgeries, with subsequent technique modifications (Tanzer 1959;Reighard et al 2018). Thereafter, Brent (1992Brent ( , 2002, Park (Park et al 1991;Park 2000), Nagata (1993), Firmin (1998), and Walton and Beahm (2002) contributed significantly to refining the surgical techniques used during this treatment (Olshinka et al 2017).…”