Page 222 - IJB-10-1

International

Journal of Bioprinting

RESEARCH ARTICLE
3D printing of costal cartilage models with fine

fidelity and biomimetic mechanical performance
for ear reconstruction simulation

Senmao Wang , Di Wang , Liya Jia , Yuanzhi Yue , Genli Wu , Yuyun Chu ,
1
1
2
2
2
2
Qian Wang , Bo Pan , Haiyue Jiang *, and Lin Lin *
1
1
1
1
1 Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical
College, No. 33 Badachu Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing 100144, China
2 3D Printing Laboratory, Elkem Silicones Shanghai Co Ltd, No. 515 Shennan Road, Minhang
District, Shanghai 201108, China
Abstract
Patient-based training is difficult in ear reconstruction surgery; therefore, costal
cartilage models are required for surgical education and pre-operative simulation.
Here, we aimed to fabricate personalized models with mechanical and structural
similarity to native costal cartilage to simulate ear reconstruction in microtia
patients. To achieve this, the stiffness, hardness, and suture retention ability of both
native costal cartilage and printed silicone were experimentally examined in vitro.
Rheological tests and three-dimensional (3D) comparison methods were used to
evaluate the printing ability and outcomes. The printed silicone models were used by
*Corresponding authors: residents to practice ear framework handcrafting during ear reconstruction surgery,
Lin Lin and the residents’ learning curves were analyzed. In addition, the models were used
(linlin@psh.pumc.edu.cn) for pre-operative simulation to study and optimize the surgical plan. The results
Haiyue Jiang showed that the consistency of mechanical properties within cartilage and silicone
(jianghaiyue@psh.pumc.edu.cn)
was verified. Printable silicone had good shear-thinning properties, and the printed
Citation: Wang S, Wang D, Jia L, structures had almost perfect printing fidelity. Residents who used printed silicone
et al. 3D printing of costal cartilage
models with fine fidelity and models enjoyed great progress and confidence after training. The pre-operative
biomimetic mechanical performance simulation optimized the carving scheme, reduced trauma in the operative site, and
for ear reconstruction simulation. avoided wasting necessary cartilage tissue. Overall, fine-fidelity models created in
Int J Bioprint. 2024;10(1):1007.
doi: 10.36922/ijb.1007 this study were intended for surgical education and pre-operative simulation by
applying 3D-printable (3DP) silicone, facilitating the optimization of surgical plans.
Received: May 27, 2023
Accepted: July 4, 2023 Surgeons were satisfied with this kind of model and recognized the efficacy and
Published Online: August 3, 2023 great application value of 3D-printed silicone models for clinical practice.
Copyright: © 2023 Author(s).
This is an Open Access article Keywords: 3D printing; Biomimetic model; Silicone; Surgical simulation; Costal
distributed under the terms of the
Creative Commons Attribution cartilage
License, permitting distribution,
and reproduction in any medium,
provided the original work is
properly cited.
1. Introduction
Publisher’s Note: AccScience
Publishing remains neutral with Microtia is a condition manifested as the partial or complete absence of external ear
regard to jurisdictional claims in tissue, causing physical deformities and severe psychological burdens in millions
published maps and institutional
1,2
affiliations. of patients. At present, autologous costal cartilage transplantation is the current

Volume 10 Issue 1 (2024) 214 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijb.1007