One-Year Results of Ear Reconstruction with 3D Printed Implants
- Author:
Mijung KIM
1
;
Yun Jung KIM
;
Young Seok KIM
;
Tai Suk ROH
;
Eun-Ju LEE
;
Jin-Hyung SHIM
;
Eun Hye KANG
;
Min Ji KIM
;
In Sik YUN
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Yonsei Medical Journal 2024;65(8):456-462
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Purpose:External ear reconstruction has been a challenging subject for plastic surgeons for decades. Popular methods using autologous costal cartilage or polyethylene still have their drawbacks. With the advance of three-dimensional (3D) printing technique, bioscaffold engineering using synthetic polymer draws attention as an alternative. This is a clinical trial of ear reconstruction using 3D printed scaffold, presented with clinical results after 1 year.
Materials and Methods:From 2021 to 2022, five adult patients with unilateral microtia underwent two-staged total ear reconstruction using 3D printed implants. For each patient, a patient-specific 3D printed scaffold was designed and produced with polycaprolactone (PCL) based on computed tomography images, using fused deposition modeling. Computed tomography scan was obtained preoperatively, within 2 weeks following the surgery and after 1 year, to compare the volume of the normal side and the reconstructed ear. At 1-year visit, clinical photo was taken for scoring by two surgeons and patients themselves.
Results:All five patients had completely healed reconstructed ear at 1-year follow-up. On average, the volume of reconstructed ear was 161.54% of that of the normal side ear. In a range of 0 to 10, objective assessors gave scores 3 to 6, whereas patients gave scores 8 to 10.
Conclusion:External ear reconstruction using 3D printed PCL implant showed durable, safe results reflected by excellent volume restoration and patient satisfaction at 1 year postoperatively. Further clinical follow-up with more cases and refinement of scaffold with advancing bioprinting technique is anticipated. The study’s plan and results have been registered with the Clinical Research Information Service (CRIS No. 3-2019-0306) and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS No.1182).
