[Experimental study of degradable chitin long fiber reinforced polycaprolactone for reconstruction of chest wall defects].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the application of a novel degradable biomaterial as a chest wall prosthesis and provide valuable scientific basis for clinical application.


METHODS
Preparation of chitin long fiber reinforced polycaprolactone (PCL) by means of melt blending and modeling. Full-thickness chest wall defects of 10 cm x 8 cm was created in 10 dogs and then repaired with long chitin fiber reinforced PCL artificial rib in 8 dogs (tested group) and Marlex mesh in 2 dogs (control group). It was dynamically observed that the situation of the implanted chest wall prosthesis and the progress of the regeneration of the chest wall tissue postoperatively.


RESULTS
No operative and perioperative deaths were observed in all experimental dogs. In tested group, slight paradoxical respiration occurred in 2 dogs and could not be seen in 2 weeks. No chest wall subsidence and infection occurred. New bone tissue obviously regenerated around both resection ends of the ribs and integrated tightly with artificial ribs. In control group, there were evidently paradoxical respiration and chest wall subsidence. Marlex mesh folded and was enveloped by fibrous tissue.


CONCLUSIONS
Degradable chitin long fiber reinforced PCL can provide effective support to chest walls and is a practicable material for chest wall reconstruction.
Duan
Liang
L
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China.
Xu
Zhi-fei
ZF
Zhao
Xue-wei
XW
Gong
Zhi-yun
ZY
Sun
Kang
K
Qin
Xiong
X
Fang
Jia
J
D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002686:Chitin; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D011091:Polyesters; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D035441:Thoracic Wall / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D013905:Thoracoplasty / Q000379:methods*
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011091:Polyesters; D002686:Chitin; C016240:polycaprolactone