George Castrisos1, Isabel Gonzalez Matheus2, David Sparks3, Martin Lowe4, Nicola Ward4, Marjoree Sehu5, Marie-Luise Wille6, Yun Phua7, Flavia Medeiros Savi8, Dietmar Hutmacher6, Michael Wagels9. 1. Department of Plastic Surgery, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia. 2. Department of Plastic Surgery, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia; The Herston Biofabrication Institute, Herston; The University of Queensland, Australia; Southside Clinical Division, School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Australia; The Australian Centre for Complex Integrated Surgical Solutions, Woolloongabba , Australia. Electronic address: isabel.gonzalezmatheus@health.qld.gov.au. 3. Department of Plastic Surgery, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia; Faculty of Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Australia; Southside Clinical Division, School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Australia. 4. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba QLD, Australia. 5. Southside Clinical Division, School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Australia; Infection Management Services, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba QLD, Australia. 6. Queensland University of Technology Node ARC Training Centre for Multiscale 3D Imaging, Modelling and Manufacturing, QLD, Australia; Queensland University of Technology, Institute of Health Biomedical Innovation, Australia. 7. Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Queensland Children's Hospital, South Brisbane, QLD, Australia. 8. Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Queensland Children's Hospital, South Brisbane, QLD, Australia; Queensland University of Technology, Institute of Health Biomedical Innovation, Australia. 9. Department of Plastic Surgery, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia; The Herston Biofabrication Institute, Herston; The University of Queensland, Australia; Southside Clinical Division, School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Australia; Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Queensland Children's Hospital, South Brisbane, QLD, Australia; The Australian Centre for Complex Integrated Surgical Solutions, Woolloongabba , Australia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: We describe the first clinical series of a novel bone replacement technique based on regenerative matching axial vascularisation (RMAV). This was used in four cases: a tibial defect after treatment of osteomyelitis; a calvarial defect after trauma and failed titanium cranioplasty; a paediatric tibial defect after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and resection of Ewing sarcoma; and a paediatric mandibular deficiency resulting from congenital hemifacial microsomia. METHOD: All patients underwent reconstruction with three-dimensional (3D)-printed medical-grade polycaprolactone and tricalcium phosphate (mPCL-TCP) scaffolds wrapped in vascularised free corticoperiosteal flaps. OUTCOME: Functional volumes of load-sharing regenerate bone have formed in all cases after a moderate duration of follow-up. At 36 cm, case 1 remains the longest segment of load bearing bone ever successfully reconstructed. This technique offers an alternative to existing methods of large volume bone defect reconstruction that may be safe, reliable, and give predictable outcomes in challenging situations. It achieves this by using a bioresorbable scaffold to support and direct the growth of regenerate bone, driven by RMAV. CONCLUSION: This technique may facilitate the reconstruction of bone defects previously thought unreconstructable, reduce the risk of long-term implant-related complications and achieve these outcomes in a hostile environment. These potential benefits must now be formally tested in prospective clinical trials. Crown
BACKGROUND: We describe the first clinical series of a novel bone replacement technique based on regenerative matching axial vascularisation (RMAV). This was used in four cases: a tibial defect after treatment of osteomyelitis; a calvarial defect after trauma and failed titanium cranioplasty; a paediatric tibial defect after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and resection of Ewing sarcoma; and a paediatric mandibular deficiency resulting from congenital hemifacial microsomia. METHOD: All patients underwent reconstruction with three-dimensional (3D)-printed medical-grade polycaprolactone and tricalcium phosphate (mPCL-TCP) scaffolds wrapped in vascularised free corticoperiosteal flaps. OUTCOME: Functional volumes of load-sharing regenerate bone have formed in all cases after a moderate duration of follow-up. At 36 cm, case 1 remains the longest segment of load bearing bone ever successfully reconstructed. This technique offers an alternative to existing methods of large volume bone defect reconstruction that may be safe, reliable, and give predictable outcomes in challenging situations. It achieves this by using a bioresorbable scaffold to support and direct the growth of regenerate bone, driven by RMAV. CONCLUSION: This technique may facilitate the reconstruction of bone defects previously thought unreconstructable, reduce the risk of long-term implant-related complications and achieve these outcomes in a hostile environment. These potential benefits must now be formally tested in prospective clinical trials. Crown