Fabrication of 3D Models for Microtia Reconstruction Using Smartphone-Based Technology

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Medical Technology
• Reconstructive Surgery

Background:

• Microtia reconstruction presents significant technical challenges due to complex ear anatomy.
• Current methods often rely on 2D templates, limiting precision in reconstructing the affected ear.
• Advances in 3D surface scanning and printing offer new possibilities for preoperative surgical planning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a straightforward and cost-effective process for fabricating patient-specific 3D ear models.
• To evaluate the utility of these 3D models as intraoperative aids in microtia reconstruction.
• To demonstrate the feasibility of using consumer-grade technology for creating surgical models.

Main Methods:

• Utilized smartphone-based optical surface scanning with facial recognition (Heges app) to capture the normal ear's 3D image.
• Employed Meshmixer software for digital isolation and mirroring of the 3D ear model.
• Fabricated the patient-specific 3D ear models using a Monoprice Select Mini V2 3D printer with polylactic acid filaments.

Main Results:

• The fabricated 3D ear model served as an effective intraoperative reference, complementing traditional 2D templates.
• Total time for imaging, editing, and fabrication averaged approximately 3.5 hours.
• Initial setup costs were around $210, with a low recurring cost of approximately $0.35 per model.

Conclusions:

• A novel, low-cost method for producing customized 3D ear models has been developed.
• Individualized 3D models can be feasibly created using readily available consumer technology.
• This accessible approach facilitates the integration of 3D printing into diverse clinical applications for improved patient care.