Clinical Application of 3-Dimensional Printing Technology for Patients With Nasal Septal Deformities

Abstract

IMPORTANCE Studies have shown the controllability and porosity of polycaprolactone as well as the use of 3-dimensional (3-D) printing for nasal reconstruction in animal models. The utility of polycaprolactone with 3-D technology in nasal cartilaginous framework reconstruction in humans remains unknown. OBJECTIVE To investigate the safety and efficacy of 3-D printed, bioresorbable polycaprolactone nasal implants. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This multicenter clinical trial comprised 20 patients with caudal septal deviations who underwent septoplasty, which used a 3-D printed polycaprolactone mesh, at 2 centers in South Korea. Patients were included if they were aged 18 to 74 years and had nasal septal deviations, Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation scores greater than 20, and persistent nasal obstructions. Twenty-two patients met the inclusion criteria, but 2 patients were excluded before the operation. The study was conducted from July 1, 2016, to June 30, 2017. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The change in total Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation score between the preoperative examination and the week 12 postoperative examination was the primary outcome. Changes in bilateral nasal cavity minimum cross-sectional area and volume on acoustic rhinometry at weeks 4 and 12 after the operation as well as changes in the nasal cavity cross-sectional area at the osteomeatal unit and nasal septum angle in the paranasal sinus on computed tomography after week 12 were among the secondary outcomes. RESULTS Of the 20 patients included in the study, 4 (20%) were female, 16 (80%) were male, with a mean (SD) age of 34.95 (11.96) years. The preoperative and week 12 postoperative results revealed significant changes in the minimal cross-sectional areas on acoustic rhinometry (0.

Surgical outcomes and complications of septal extension graft supported by 3D printed polycaprolactone plate

“…PCL is a biocompatible and biodegradable synthetic polymer with the proper mechanical strength and durability. PCL has been widely used for drug delivery devices and in the tissue engineering field because it is biocompatible and slowly degrades in the body . The long‐term biodegradability of PCL mesh can resist deformations because of contractions of the skin and scars that occur during the healing process .…”

“…The advantage of 3D printing is the capability to not only produce patient‐specific scaffolds, but also design homogeneous standardized microporous composite scaffolds. Therefore, the mechanical properties, degree of fibrovascular ingrowth, and suture friendly microporous design can be controlled by the 3D printing technique . Three‐dimensional printing is especially advantageous in creating patient specific scaffolds, as the design and printing process is able to generate structures that are not otherwise possible using standard manufacturing techniques.…”

Computational technology for nasal cartilage-related clinical research and application

“…163 In nasal septum deviation, a stent to correct the deviation has also been accurately manufactured by 3D printing. 164 A 3D-printed, porous titanium scaffold can also act as the nasal cartilage and was combined with a skin flap for nasal reconstruction (Fig. 8b).…”

Review of Plastic Surgery Biomaterials and Current Progress in Their 3D Manufacturing Technology

“…At present, the technology of using 3D manufacturing technology to customize personalized ear-nose prosthesis is relatively mature [ 110 , 112 , 113 ]. After collecting data with photogrammetric equipment, a portable desktop 3D printer can produce high-quality silicone soft prostheses in a short time [ 114 , 115 ]. Compared with traditional prostheses, 3D printed ear and nose repair prostheses have huge advantages in terms of material design flexibility and personalized size customization [ 115 , 116 ].…”

“… Examples of the applications of three-dimensional (3D) manufacturing technology in plastic and cosmetic surgery [ 108 , 109 , 110 , 111 , 112 , 113 , 114 , 115 , 116 , 117 , 118 , 119 , 120 , 121 , 122 , 123 , 124 , 125 , 126 ]. ( A ) The 3D manufacturing technology for temporomandibular joint reconstruction [ 111 ].…”