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Updated: Oct 2, 2025

3D Planning and Printing of Patient Specific Implants for Reconstruction of Bony Defects
Published on: August 4, 2020
Clinical Application of 3D-Printed Patient-Specific Polycaprolactone/Beta Tricalcium Phosphate Scaffold for Complex
Woo-Shik Jeong1, Young-Chul Kim1, Jae-Cheong Min1
1Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 88 Olympicro 43 gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul 05505, Korea.
Abstract:
(1) Background: In the present study, we evaluated the efficacy of a 3D-printed, patient-specific polycaprolactone/beta tricalcium phosphate (PCL/β-TCP) scaffold in the treatment of complex zygomatico-maxillary defects. (2) Methods: We evaluated eight patients who underwent immediate or delayed maxillary reconstruction with patient-specific PCL implants between December 2019 and June 2021. The efficacy of these techniques was assessed using the volume and density analysis of computed tomography data obtained before surgery and six months after surgery. (3) Results: Patients underwent maxillary reconstruction with the 3D-printed PCL/β-TCP scaffold based on various reconstructive techniques, including bone graft, fasciocutaneous free flaps, and fat graft. In the volume analysis, satisfactory volume conformity was achieved between the preoperative simulation and actual implant volume with a mean volume conformity of 79.71%, ranging from 70.89% to 86.31%. The ratio of de novo bone formation to total implant volume (bone volume fraction) was satisfactory with a mean bone fraction volume of 23.34%, ranging from 7.81% to 66.21%. Mean tissue density in the region of interest was 188.84 HU, ranging from 151.48 HU to 291.74 HU. (4) Conclusions: The combined use of the PCL/β-TCP scaffold with virtual surgical simulation and 3D printing techniques may replace traditional non-absorbable implants in the future owing to its accuracy and biocompatible properties.

