Page 345 - IJB-9-3

International Journal of Bioprinting Amniotic fornical ring for ocular surface reconstruction

all the enrolled patients required AM, the price of AM was technology shows good application potential in ocular
not analyzed. The patients in the AMP group basically did surface reconstruction.
not need sutures. Among them, four patients (six eyes) Our study was limited by its retrospective design and
underwent amnion suturing at the eyelid margin due to a the small sample size. However, this study shows benefits
severe eyelid injury, especially at the upper eyelid margin. of this technique, including a decreased operation duration
The AM was not easily attached due to the blinking reflex and less cost. To the best of our knowledge, 3D-printed
and gravity. The patients in the AFR group spent 0.00 AFR has not been reported for ocular surface diseases.
(0.00–0.00) Chinese Yuan (CNY) per eye. The patients This study highlights the application of 3DP technology in
needed 1–2 sutures per eye, with a median of RMB 128.63 ocular surface reconstruction.
(122.50–192.94) CNY in the SAMT group (P = 0.000).
Regarding preoperative anesthesia, the patients who was 4. Conclusion
given AFR spent a median of 40.00 (36.25–70.00) CNY
per eye. Most of the patients in the AFR group underwent We successfully fabricated a novel personalized 3D-printed
AMT with local or surface anesthesia, but nongeneral AFR with PLA for ocular surface reconstruction.
anesthesia can also be used for children (<18 years old). Retrospective analysis results showed that the 3D-printed
In contrast, in most patients, nerve block anesthesia or AFR was successfully applied to ocular surface diseases.
general anesthesia was used, and the median cost per eye The advantages of 3D-printed AFRs included its individual
was 129.00 (58.38–854.63) CNY (P = 0.001) in the SAMT design, ease of use, time-saving ability, low cost, and easy
group. Regarding the surgeon’s operating costs, the patients replacement after AM dissolution. 3D-printed AFR has
spent a median of 870 (734.25–979.00) CNY per eye in great potential for ocular surface reconstruction.
the AFR group, and the patients spent a median of 968.00
(870.00–979.00) CNY per eye in the SAMT group (P = Acknowledgments
0.037). The significant difference in the operating charges The authors would like to thank Zhuoya Yao and Junhui
between the two groups may be because some patients in Geng (Disinfection Supply Center, Henan Provincial
the AFR group were treated at the bedside. Placement and People’s Hospital).
removal of the 3D-printed AFR was a bedside procedure
that saved time. Traditional SAMT requires surgery- Funding
related equipment and personnel. Hence, 3D-printed AFR
represents a more economical method of ocular surface This work was supported by the National Natural Science
reconstruction. Foundation of China (52173143 and 82101090), Project
of Henan Provincial Health Department (200803096),
3DP technology has been widely explored for tissue Medical Science and Technology Project of Henan
regeneration and wound repair. Researchers reported an Province (SBGJ202103012) and Basic Science Key Project
in situ bioprinted microalgal hollow fiber scaffold with of Henan Eye Institute/Henan Eye Hospital (20JCZD002,
autotrophic oxygen capacity that promotes irregularly 20JCQN001 and 22JCQN001).
shaped wound healing . 3DP technology has also been
[20]
used for corneal tissue engineering and ocular surface Conflict of interest
reconstruction. Corneal stroma regeneration can be The authors declare no conflict of interests.
induced by 3D fibrous hydrogel constructs injected with
gelatin methacrylate . In addition, 3D-printed gelatin- Author contributions
[21]
based membranes showed more predictable degradability,
a high goblet cell density of the healing epithelium, and Conceptualization: Nan Zhang, Xiaowu Liu, Yan Li, Jingguo
less inflammatory response and scar formation. These Li, Lei Zhu, Zhanrong Li
advantages of the 3D-printed membrane make it a Investigation: Nan Zhang, Ruixing Liu, Xiaowu Liu, Jingguo
promising alternative to the amniotic membrane . A Li, Lei Zhu, Zhanrong Li
[7]
custom imprint 3D-scanned scleral contact lens fits the Methodology: Nan Zhang, Ruixing Liu, Xiaowu Liu,
ocular surface more accurately, expands the indications Songlin Hou, Runan Dou, Xingchen Geng, Yan Li,
for scleral contact lens, and can be used as a remedial Zhanrong Li
therapy for scleral contact lens failure . In the present Formal analysis: Nan Zhang, Ruixing Liu, Jingguo Li, Lei
[22]
study, we demonstrated that 3D-printed AFR can be used Zhu, Zhanrong Li
for ocular surface reconstruction, and it can be performed Writing – original draft: Nan Zhang, Jingguo Li, Zhanrong Li
at the bedside and greatly reduce the surgical time. 3DP Writing – review & editing: Nan Zhang, Jingguo Li,
Zhanrong Li

Volume 9 Issue 3 (2023) 337 https://doi.org/10.18063/ijb.713