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International Journal of Bioprinting Bioprinting hearing loss treatment

Figure 3. Progression of bioprinting repair in tympanic membrane perforation. Abbreviations: bFGF: Basic fibroblast growth factor; hUCS: Human cord
serum; MSC: Mesenchymal stem cell; PCL: polycaprolactone.

laboratory and clinical settings, enables the customization Watson et al. conducted a study involving three
of patient-specific ossicular chains. This technology is patients who experienced unilateral ear loss, in which
particularly beneficial during ossiculoplasty procedures. auricular prostheses and polycaprolactone were employed,
The ideal ossicular chain should conform to the patient- resulting in increased self-assurance among the patients
specific defect and possess outstanding long-term stability, and showcasing the efficacy and practicality of ear
good acoustic properties, and low implantation difficulty. reconstruction through the application of 3D printing
In line with previous studies, MSCs printed in gelatin technology. Kozin et al. conducted a successful test on a
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methacrylate (GelMA) and alginate, or in carboxylated custom-made, fixed-length 3D-printed prosthesis designed
agarose hydrogels, are frequently implanted into the for the repair of bony superior canal defects on cadaveric
body to stimulate endochondral ossification and cartilage temporal bones. The utilization of such personalized
neovascularization. 52,53 The utilization of 3D-bioprinted prostheses has the potential to address surgical challenges
personalized ossicular chains obviates the necessity for associated with inadequate superior canal dehiscence
intraoperative estimation, resulting in a notable reduction (SCD) repair and mechanical damage to the membranous
in surgical duration and regulation of intraoperative labyrinth, ultimately reducing the likelihood of hearing loss
hemorrhage. 54,55 Despite progress in endoprosthetic and vestibular lesions while enhancing surgical outcomes.
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materials, surgical methodologies, and surgical Additionally, in 2016, Kuru et al. developed the first life-
magnification instruments, the occurrence of ossicular sized 3D-printed ear model featuring tympanic membranes
chain reconstruction (OCR) failure frequently manifests and ear ossicles, utilizing micro-computed tomography
within a 2.5-year timeframe. Consequently, there remains (micro-CT) scanning and silicone rubber materials. In
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a critical exigency for enhanced interventions to mitigate the initial phase of their study, Eisenman et al. conducted
implantation risks, decrease procedural complications, surgical training by excising auditory ossicles from the
and extend the efficacy of surgical interventions. 56,57 The middle ear. Subsequently, three cadaveric specimens
efficacy of OCR is heavily contingent upon the appropriate underwent computed tomography (CT) scanning, leading
selection of the auditory ossicles prosthesis and the to the production of ossicular prostheses through 3D
surgical methodology utilized, with considerations such printing. Despite the successful implantation of these
as the shape, flexibility, and length of the prosthesis being prostheses into the temporal bone matrix with middle
particularly influential. 58,59 ear defects, by four surgeons, showcasing the precision of

Volume 10 Issue 4 (2024) 109 doi: 10.36922/ijb.3497