Development of a Three-Dimensional (3D) Printed Biodegradable Cage to Convert Morselized Corticocancellous Bone Chips into a Structured Cortical Bone Graft.
This study aimed to develop a new biodegradable polymeric cage to convert corticocancellous bone chips into a structured strut graft for treating segmental bone defects. A total of 24 adult New Zealand white rabbits underwent a left femoral segmental bone defect creation. Twelve rabbits in group A underwent three-dimensional (3D) printed cage insertion, corticocancellous chips implantation, and Kirschner-wire (K-wire) fixation, while the other 12 rabbits in group B received bone chips implantation and K-wire fixation only. All rabbits received a one-week activity assessment and the initial image study at postoperative 1 week. The final image study was repeated at postoperative 12 or 24 weeks before the rabbit scarification procedure on schedule. After the animals were sacrificed, both femurs of all the rabbits were prepared for leg length ratios and 3-point bending tests. The rabbits in group A showed an increase of activities during the first week postoperatively and decreased anterior cortical disruptions in the postoperative image assessments. Additionally, higher leg length ratios and 3-point bending strengths demonstrated improved final bony ingrowths within the bone defects for rabbits in group A. In conclusion, through this bone graft converting technique, orthopedic surgeons can treat segmental bone defects by using bone chips but with imitate characters of structured cortical bone graft.
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan. enjoycu@ms22.hinet.net.|Department of Orthopedics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 33375, Taiwan. enjoycu@ms22.hinet.net.
Ying-Chao
YC
Chou
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan. dmlee@mail.cgu.edu.tw.
Demei
D
Lee
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan. s0937277402@gmail.com.
Tzu-Min
TM
Chang
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan. hsuyh@adm.cgmh.org.tw.|Department of Orthopedics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 33375, Taiwan. hsuyh@adm.cgmh.org.tw.
Yung-Heng
YH
Hsu
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan. alanyu1007@gmail.com.|Department of Orthopedics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 33375, Taiwan. alanyu1007@gmail.com.
Yi-Hsun
YH
Yu
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan. shihjung@mail.cgu.edu.tw.|Department of Orthopedics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 33375, Taiwan. shihjung@mail.cgu.edu.tw.
Shih-Jung
SJ
Liu
Department of Orthopedics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 33375, Taiwan. wenneng@cgmh.org.tw.
Steve Wen-Neng
SW
Ueng
D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000818:Animals; D001861:Bone Regeneration; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D000071538:Cortical Bone; D066330:Printing, Three-Dimensional; D011817:Rabbits
3D printing; biodegradable bone cage; corticocancellous chips; polylactide (PLA); structured strut bone graft