3D-PRINTING OF MICROTIA CARTILAGE CELLS POSSIBLY THE FUTURE OF MICROTIA TREATMENT?
Cartilage 3D-Printing Technology
Dr. Arturo Bonilla has exclusively been using the natural cartilage technique for over 25 years. As a leader in advanced surgical techniques in pediatric microtia surgery, Dr. Bonilla has always been at the forefront of newer technologies. This technology is finally closer than ever!
Dr. Bonilla is collaborating with a leading tissue engineering company to develop 3D-printing of the patient’s own cartilage cells in the lab. If this technology is successful, it may revolutionize microtia cartilage surgery by possibly replacing the need for rib cartilage as well as possibly replacing the need for ears made of foreign hard plastic materials for ear reconstruction.
This is a rendering to demonstrate the general concept
Because this is still in the clinical trial phase, what possibilities may cartilage 3D-printing offer if successful?
- Possibly replace the most common technique used in the world: rib cartilage for microtia reconstruction
- Possibly replace the use of foreign body material such as the polyethylene implant
- Decrease overall surgical time
- Decrease postoperative pain
Although we are not recruiting patients, more details on the clinical trial are found here.
