Development of a Three-Dimensional (3D) Printed Biodegradable Cage to Convert Morselized Corticocancellous Bone Chips into a Structured Cortical Bone Graft

Abstract

This study aimed to develop a new biodegradable polymeric cage to convert corticocancellous bone chips into a structured strut graft for treating segmental bone defects. A total of 24 adult New Zealand white rabbits underwent a left femoral segmental bone defect creation. Twelve rabbits in group A underwent three-dimensional (3D) printed cage insertion, corticocancellous chips implantation, and Kirschner-wire (K-wire) fixation, while the other 12 rabbits in group B received bone chips implantation and K-wire fixation only. All rabbits received a one-week activity assessment and the initial image study at postoperative 1 week. The final image study was repeated at postoperative 12 or 24 weeks before the rabbit scarification procedure on schedule. After the animals were sacrificed, both femurs of all the rabbits were prepared for leg length ratios and 3-point bending tests. The rabbits in group A showed an increase of activities during the first week postoperatively and decreased anterior cortical disruptions in the postoperative image assessments. Additionally, higher leg length ratios and 3-point bending strengths demonstrated improved final bony ingrowths within the bone defects for rabbits in group A. In conclusion, through this bone graft converting technique, orthopedic surgeons can treat segmental bone defects by using bone chips but with imitate characters of structured cortical bone graft.

The application of 3D printed surgical guides in resection and reconstruction of malignant bone tumor

“…In fact, the blood loss, the resection the length and the complication rate were significantly lower in the observation group than in the control group, suggesting that 3D printed surgical guide can reduce surgical trauma. There was no significant difference in the negative rate and the tumor recurrence rate between the two groups, suggesting that the two methods share equivalent short-term and long-term effect in the surgical resection of lesions ( 13 ). In addition, in the observation group, the MSTS score of the knee joint was significantly better than that of the control group after, respectively, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months of operation, suggesting that 3D printing can greatly improve the function of joint and reduce the complication of operation after resection and reconstruction of malignant bone tumor around the knee joint, which is of important application value.…”

A New Bone Substitute Developed from 3D-Prints of Polylactide (PLA) Loaded with Collagen I: An In Vitro Study

“…Three-dimensional (3D) printing is a simple procedure to create 3D porous scaffolds used for bone tissue engineering [ 12 ]. A promising material is polylactide, a polymer which is known to be degraded by hydrolysis to harmless and non-toxic monomers [ 13 ]. Moreover, it displays mechanical stability, which is why it has been studied and employed in various medical studies and applications [ 14 , 15 ].…”

Artificial Membrane Induced by Novel Biodegradable Nanofibers in the Masquelet Procedure for Treatment of Segmental Bone Defects

“…Biodegradable materials have been widely employed in medical procedures since the 1970s. They have been applied in orthopedic surgeries, as internal fixators [18,19], drug delivery media [20][21][22], and bone graft reservoirs [23,24]. PLGA has been one of the most prospective biodegradable polymers, mainly due to its controllable degradation and superior biocompatibility with human tissues.…”