3D Printed Bioelastomer Scaffold for Mandibular Defect Repair Based on Rapid Distraction Therapy

A 3D-printed customized PGS scaffold for rapid MDO therapy is constructed, which conforms well to the mandible morphology, adapts to the dynamically changing defect, and provides favorable osteogenic microenvironments with BMSCs. This approach helps shorten the distraction period while maintaining the treatment outcomes of MDO in rabbits, showing promise for future clinical advancements in large-scale lengthening mandibular defect repair.

Abstract

Mandibular distraction osteogenesis (MDO) is a widely recognized surgical method for treating mandibular hypoplasia. However, it still presents some limitations, including multiple hospital visits required by the long distraction period, and previous studies show that a shortened distraction period will easily lead to a non-union gap and suboptimal quality of the new bone. In this research, a 3D-printed customized PGS scaffold is constructed and combined it with rapid MDO to repair mandible defects. It not only accommodates the dynamically changing distraction gap but also meets the mandibular distraction model's high morphological requirements. The BMSCs-loaded PGS scaffolds also provide favorable osteogenic microenvironments. This approach helps shorten the distraction period and accelerates bone regeneration and osseointegration in the rapid distraction model of rabbit mandibles, showing promise for future clinical advancements in large-scale mandibular defect repair.