Treating mouse skull defects with 3D-printed fatty acid and tricalcium phosphate implants

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Surgical Innovation

Background:

• Craniectomy for trauma or brain disease necessitates skull implants for structural integrity.
• Developing patient-specific, biodegradable implants is crucial for effective skull reconstruction.
• 3D printing offers a method for creating customized bone implants.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the performance of 3D printed, biodegradable skull implants in a murine craniectomy model.
• To compare sintered and non-sintered implants composed of fatty acids and beta-tricalcium phosphate.
• To assess the potential for these implants to promote bone regeneration and osseointegration.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a nonpolymeric thermoplastic bioink (fatty acids and beta-tricalcium phosphate) for 3D printing skull implants.
• Sintered some implants to create pure beta-tricalcium phosphate constructs.
• Assessed implant performance in murine calvarial defect models using computed tomography, histology, and luciferase activity.

Main Results:

• Both sintered and non-sintered implants demonstrated biocompatibility.
• Sintered implants significantly promoted calvarial defect healing, showing osseointegration with host bone.
• New bone and bone marrow tissue formed within the pores of sintered implants, with mesenchymal stem cell engraftment and proliferation observed.

Conclusions:

• Fatty acid-based 3D printing facilitates the creation of biocompatible beta-tricalcium phosphate implants.
• Sintered beta-tricalcium phosphate implants are effective in promoting bone regeneration and skull defect repair.
• This technology holds potential for developing patient-specific bone-forming implants for craniofacial reconstruction.