Clinical Application of Three-Dimensional Printing and Tissue Engineering for Maxillofacial Reconstruction. A Review of Reported Cases - Abstract
The purpose of this review article was to summarize the published clinical cases, using three-dimensionally (3D) printing technology and/or tissue-engineered (TE) approach to reconstruct segmental bone defects of the jaws. PubMed database was used to conduct the searches. Data collected included: demographics, location and defect size, diagnosis, material used to 3D-print the device and/or TE approach, 3D printing technology, outcome and followup. Fifteen publications met the criteria, containing 20 case reports. Treatment of segmental defects of the mandible (n=12) and of the maxilla (n=8) were reported. Diagnosis of the cases: tumors (n=15), alveolar clefts (n=4), and trauma (n=1). 3D-printed devices used: mesh (n=4), plate (n=1) and implant (n=4). One case described a 3D-printed Polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffold. In four cases a 3D-printed device (mesh n=1; plates n=3) together with a TE approach was used. Six patients were treated using a TE approach. Stereolithography (SLA; n=6), selective laser sintering (SLS; n=5) and selective laser melting (SLM; n=3) were 3D printing technologies used. The devices were mainly manufactured of titanium (Ti; n=16). The mean follow-up period was 16.25 months (3-60 months). In conclusion, it appears to date, only 1 clinical case of a 3D-printed scaffold for TE has been published.