Page 286 - IJB-10-4

International Journal of Bioprinting 3D printing prosthesis for palatal fistula

experimental groups, silicone rubber groups, and control Funding
groups on days 1, 3, and 5 (p > 0.05).
This work was financially supported by the National Key
3.7.2. In vivo biocompatibility R&D Program of China (Grant no. 2022YFB4600600),
Figure 8C depicts the procedure of the subcutaneous the National Natural Science Foundation of China
implantation experiment. All wounds display successful (Grant no. 31972915 and no. 32271181), the Guangdong
healing in the end. Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation
Fibrous capsules were observed in the experimental (Grant no. 2020B1515120001), and the Guangzhou
and control groups. The H&E staining results of the Science and Technology Plan—Municipal School
fibrous capsule around the implants at weeks 4 and 8 Joint Funding Basic and Applied Research Project
are shown in Figure 8D. Microscopic observation under (No. 202201020156).
10× magnification revealed that there was no significant
difference in the fibrous capsule and tissue between the PU Conflict of interest
group and the control group, and there was no apparent The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
inflammatory infiltration. The H&E-stained tissues of
the internal organs revealed no massive inflammatory Author contributions
cell infiltration and no abnormalities (Figure 8E). Taken
together, the PU elastomers showed good biocompatibility, Conceptualization: Qiwei Chen, Haihuan Gong
as evidenced by the in vivo experiments. Formal analysis: Zhiwei Lin, Manoj Kumar Vashisth
Investigation: Yilin Wang, Yanyan Zhao, Hong Zhao,
4. Conclusion Zhiwei Lin, Jingya Yang, Lixiang Zhao
Methodology: Yilin Wang, Yanyan Zhao, Hong Zhao
In this study, we developed a personalized palatal fistula Writing – original draft: Qiwei Chen, Haihuan Gong,
prosthesis made of light-cured PU to repair the palatal Writing – review & editing: Yunlu Dai, Wenhua Huang
fistula and restore normal airflow during speech based
on CFD-assisted design and 3D printing technology. Ethics approval and consent to participate
After repairing the defect of the palatal fistula, the airflow
pattern exhibits high degree of resemblance to that of the The experimental protocol was approved by the Laboratory
healthy side, and the repaired palatal fistula exhibited good Animal Welfare and Ethics Committee, Southern Medical
sealing effect. In addition, repairing palatal fistula defect University, in accordance with the Guide for the Care and
with this prosthesis effectively separated the oronasal Use of Laboratory Animals (SMUL2022312).
cavity. Furthermore, light-cured PU printing ink with
good biological safety, which could be manufactured by Consent for publication
an LCD light-curing 3D printer for rapid prototyping, was Not applicable.
designed and synthesized. The light-cured PU possesses
excellent hydrophilicity, mechanical properties, water Availability of data
resistance, and good rheological performance. In summary,
a new optimization strategy for structure design by CFD The data presented in this study are available from the
analysis and fabrication of palatal fistula prosthesis made corresponding author upon reasonable request.
of 3D-printed light-cured PU was devised. This strategy
holds immense potential for reducing the difficulty of References
prosthesis fabrication and maximizing the restoration
effect and quality of life for patients. Future study will 1. Ohno T, Hojo K, Fujishima I. Soft obturator prosthesis
for postoperative soft palate carcinoma: a clinical report.
entail a comprehensive comparison with state-of-the-art J Prosthet Dent. 2018;119(5):845-847.
materials, aiming to provide compelling evidence for their doi: 10.1016/j.prosdent.2017.06.024
potential clinical applications.
2. Urken ML, Roche AM, Kiplagat KJ, et al. Comprehensive
Acknowledgments approach to functional palatomaxillary reconstruction using
regional and free tissue transfer: report of reconstructive
The authors extend their gratitude to Southern Medical and prosthodontic outcomes of 140 patients. Head Neck.
University and University of Macau for providing 2018;40(8):1639-1666.
laboratory and technical supports. doi: 10.1002/hed.25134

Volume 10 Issue 4 (2024) 278 doi: 10.36922/ijb.2516