3D-Printed Grafts Replicate Human Ear

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Using cutting-edge 3D printing, xenografts and tissue engineering, researchers have developed natural-looking ear scaffolds that facilitate tissue regeneration – a promising advance for treating patients with outer ear deformities.

This breakthrough offers a promising alternative to current methods, which typically involve implanting synthetic materials or harvested cartilage from a patient’s ribs.

The research team, led by plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr Jason Spector, used world-leading 3D printing technologies to develop a precise anatomical template of the human ear, using a biocompatible and biodegradable plastic known as polylactic acid bioink.

The team incorporated small pieces of biocompatible sheep rib cartilage into the scaffold, and surgically implanted this 3D-printed ear template under the skin of rodents.

After six months, the researchers removed the scaffold to find it had functioned as a cartilaginous framework, supporting the growth of new tissue.

“This new technology may eventually provide an option that feels real for thousands needing surgery to correct outer ear deformities,” said Dr Spector in a story with Weill Cornell Medicine.

Findings from the proof-of-concept study were published earlier this year in Acta Biomaterialia.