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Sternectomy Replacement With 3-Dimensional Printed Composite Porous High-Density Polyethylene
Lamees I El Nihum1, Mariam Shariff2, Motahar Hosseini2
1Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota; Texas A&M College of Medicine, Bryan, Texas.
The Annals of Thoracic Surgery
|January 27, 2022
Summary
This study details a successful sternal replacement using a synthetic polyethylene implant in a patient with sternal osteomyelitis. This innovative approach offers a new solution for complex chest wall reconstruction.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Biomaterials Engineering
- 3D Printing in Medicine
Background:
- A 54-year-old male with type 2 diabetes experienced sternal osteomyelitis following cardiac surgery in 2011.
- Initial sternal closure after aortic root replacement in 2020 involved an omental flap, which proved insufficient.
Observation:
- The patient required complex sternal reconstruction due to persistent infection and structural compromise.
- A multidisciplinary team utilized a customized 3D-printed implant, approved under compassionate use by the FDA.
Findings:
- The entire sternum was successfully replaced with a synthetic polyethylene implant.
- This represents a novel application of 3D printing and synthetic materials for extensive sternal defects.
Implications:
- This case demonstrates the feasibility of total sternal replacement with advanced synthetic materials.
- The technique holds potential for treating complex sternal defects and infections, improving patient outcomes.
