The effect of fixation plate use on bone healing during the reconstruction of mandibular defects

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to compare efficiency results between the use of a customized implant (CI) and a reconstruction plate (RP) in mandibular defect reconstruction in an animal model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen rabbits underwent surgery to create a defect in the right side of the mandible and were randomly divided into two groups. For reconstruction of the mandibular defect, the RP group (n=5) received five-hole mini-plates without bone grafting and the CI group (n=10) received fabricated CIs based on the cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) data taken preoperatively. The CI group was further divided into two subgroups depending on the time of CBCT performance preoperatively, as follows: a six-week CI (6WCI) group (n=5) and a one-week CI (1WCI) group (n=5). Daily food intake amount (DFIA) was measured to assess the recovery rate. Radiographic images were acquired to evaluate screw quantity. CBCT and histological examination were performed in the CI subgroup after sacrifice. RESULTS: The 1WCI group showed the highest value in peak average recovery rate and the fastest average recovery rate. In terms of reaching a 50% recovery rate, the 1WCI group required the least number of days as compared with the other groups (2.6±1.3 days), while the RP group required the least number of days to reach an 80% recovery rate (7.8±2.2 days). The 1WCI group showed the highest percentage of intact screws (94.3%). New bone formation was observed in the CI group during histological examination. CONCLUSION: Rabbits with mandibular defects treated with CI showed higher and faster recovery rates and more favorable screw status as compared with those treated with a five-hole mini-plate without bone graft.

Three-Dimensional Printing: Basic Principles and Applications in Medicine and Radiology

The advent of three-dimensional printing (3DP) technology has enabled the creation of a tangible and complex 3D object that goes beyond a simple 3D-shaded visualization on a flat monitor. Since the early 2000s, 3DP machines have been used only in hard tissue applications. Recently developed multi-materials for 3DP have been used extensively for a variety of medical applications, such as personalized surgical planning and guidance, customized implants, biomedical research, and preclinical education. In this review article, we discuss the 3D reconstruction process, touching on medical imaging, and various 3DP systems applicable to medicine. In addition, the 3DP medical applications using multi-materials are introduced, as well as our recent results.

Application development of rapid prototyping technology in orthopedics / 国际生物医学工程杂志

Rapid prototyping technology, a kind of novel digital prototyping technology developed in mid-1980s based on a principle of discrete and accumulation, which fabricates a prototype by accurate accumulation of material according to the CAD models or CT data under the control of the computer without any other device. In recent years, it has shown a great application prospect in the field of orthopedics combined with three-dimensional image reconstruction of spiral CT and MRL In this article, review is given on the application development of rapid prototyping technology in orthopedics, such as organ model preparation and surgical planning, customized implant and bone tissue engineering porosity scaffold fabrication.