Treatment of a large osseous defect in a feline tarsus using a stem cell-seeded custom implant

The aim of this study is to describe the treatment of an infected segmental bone defect in a cat using a novel, custom-designed titanium implant seeded with adipose-derived stem cells (AdMSCs) to facilitate osseous ingrowth and preserve limb function. Large bone defects occur secondary to trauma, infection, or neoplasia and often result in amputation. We established a novel autologous AdMSC-impregnated trabecular metal spacer made using 3D printing, to bridge the distal tibia and metatarsal bones in the left pelvic limb of a cat that had previously undergone right pelvic limb amputation. Six months postoperatively, there was radiographic evidence of bone growth and implant integration. A titanium spacer seeded with AdMSCs successfully encouraged bone ingrowth in a large defect site and successfully preserved limb function. However, further studies are needed to justify the use of differentiated stem cell impregnated mesh as a framework to bridge large bone defects.