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Custom 3D-printed decompression valve with protective cap for managing large mandibular lesion.
Lázaro da Silva Caixeta Neto1, Bruno Alvarez Quinta Reis1, Ricardo Grillo1
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Journal of Stomatology, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
|August 1, 2025
Summary
A novel custom decompression valve aids in managing large odontogenic cysts by reducing lesion size before surgery. This patient-specific device offers an accessible and effective solution, particularly in resource-limited settings.
Area of Science:
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Biomedical Engineering
- 3D Printing Applications
Background:
- Large cysts, such as odontogenic keratocysts, pose surgical challenges due to size and osmotic pressure.
- Traditional decompression techniques aim to reduce lesion size for safer surgical intervention and to avoid complex reconstructions.
- Existing methods may face challenges with foreign material ingress and effective irrigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a custom-designed decompression valve with a protective cap for managing large odontogenic cysts.
- To detail the fabrication and application of a patient-specific valve using 3D printing technology.
- To address limitations of traditional decompression methods with an innovative, accessible solution.
Main Methods:
- A custom decompression valve was designed using 3D Slicer® and Blender® software for a patient with an odontogenic cyst.
- The valve featured suture holes for secure placement and a screwable cap for protection and irrigation.
- The device was 3D-printed using Poly-Lactic-Acid (PLA) and implanted during a two-stage surgical approach.
- A biopsy confirmed the lesion as an odontogenic keratocyst.
Main Results:
- The custom decompression valve was successfully placed in a 24-year-old male patient with significant mandibular swelling.
- The patient-specific design facilitated secure placement and offered protection against foreign material ingress.
- The valve remains in situ, awaiting sufficient cyst size reduction for the subsequent surgical stage.
Conclusions:
- The custom decompression valve offers an innovative, patient-centered enhancement to traditional cyst management techniques.
- This device is accessible, affordable, and effective for managing large odontogenic cysts, especially in resource-constrained environments.
- Further research is warranted to explore broader applications and long-term outcomes of this 3D-printed technology.
