title: Biomechanical properties of novel biodegradable poly ε-caprolactone-chitosan scaffolds.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the biomechanical properties of poly ε-caprolactone (PCL)-chitosan (CS) scaffolds fabricated by the melt stretching and multilayer deposition technique.
  
  
  METHODS
  The PCL-CS scaffolds containing CS at 0% (pure PCL), 10%, and 20% by weight were prepared. For the monolayer scaffolds, shear and blending tests simulating the reconstruction of orbital floor defects (situation A) and mandibular defects (situation B) were conducted. For the 3-D scaffolds, compression tests of their superior and lateral aspects were done.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For the monolayer scaffolds, the pure PCL group had remarkably lower shear strength than the other groups (P > 0.05). In situation A, all groups withstood the forces without any significant difference. In situation B, the pure PCL group could withstand the forces remarkably lower than those of the other group (P < 0.05). The 3-D scaffolds of all groups could withstand compressive forces directed towards their superior aspects. However, they could not withstand the forces directed towards their lateral aspects at the limited strain.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The monolayer scaffolds were suitable for reconstruction of the orbital floor and mandibular defects under light load-bearing conditions. The 3-D scaffolds could be used in the high load bearing-areas only if the forces were directed at their superior aspects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Prince of Songkla University, Hatyai, Songkhla, Thailand. nuttawut.t@psu.ac.th
authors.forename: Nuttawut
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Thuaksuban
authors.forename: Thongchai
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nuntanaranont
authors.forename: Srisurang
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Suttapreyasri
authors.forename: Wachirapan
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Pattanachot
authors.forename: Kanyarat
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sutin
authors.forename: Lim Kwong
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Cheung
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D048271:Chitosan / Q000737:chemistry*; D019245:Compressive Strength; D006801:Humans; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery; D008422:Materials Testing; D009915:Orbit / Q000601:surgery; D010949:Plasma; D018583:Pliability; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation; D033081:Shear Strength; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013499:Surface Properties; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*; D016474:Weight-Bearing
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011091:Polyesters; C016240:polycaprolactone; D048271:Chitosan