Biodegradable poly(caprolactone fumarate) 3D printed scaffolds for segmental bone defects within the Masquelet...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Orthopedic Surgery

Background:

• Segmental bone defects are challenging clinical issues often requiring multiple surgeries with nondegradable implants like poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA).
• Current treatments necessitate staged procedures, increasing patient morbidity and treatment duration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of 3D printed biodegradable polycaprolactone fumarate (PCLF)/PCL spacers in a one-stage surgical treatment for segmental bone defects.
• To investigate the influence of spacer porosity on early bone regeneration.
• To compare the performance of PCLF/PCL spacers with conventional PMMA spacers.

Main Methods:

• Comparison of nonporous PCLF/PCL and PMMA spacers with 3D printed porous PCLF/PCL spacers in a rat femur segmental defect model over 4 weeks.
• Assessment of spacer compressive properties (strength and modulus).
• Histological analysis including tissue staining and immunohistochemistry for bone regeneration markers.

Main Results:

• PCLF/PCL spacers exhibited adequate compressive properties (6 ± 0.5 MPa strength, 140 ± 15 MPa modulus).
• Both porous PCLF/PCL and nonporous PMMA spacers induced collagen-rich membranes (92% ± 1.3% and 86% ± 1.5%, respectively).
• Porous PCLF/PCL scaffolds showed BMP-2 expression and woven bone formation, with early ossification into pores, indicating potential for bone interlocking and regeneration.

Conclusions:

• Biodegradable PCLF/PCL scaffolds effectively induce membrane formation in critical-sized segmental bone defects, supporting their use in one-stage surgery.
• Porous PCLF/PCL spacers demonstrate regenerative capabilities and mechanical properties suitable for bone defect repair.
• PCLF/PCL offers a promising, biocompatible, and biodegradable alternative to PMMA for treating bone defects, potentially simplifying surgical procedures.