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Exploring for the optimal structural design for the 3D-printing technology for cranial reconstruction: a biomechanical and histological study comparison of solid vs. porous structure

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Abstract

Purpose

Cranioplasty for recovering skull defects carries the risk for a number of complications. Various materials are used, including autologous bone graft, metallic materials, and non-metallic materials, each of which has advantages and disadvantages. If the use of autologous bone is not feasible, those artificial materials also have constraints in the case of complex anatomy and/or irregular defects.

Material and methods

This study used metal 3D-printing technology to overcome these existing drawbacks and analyze the clinical and mechanical performance requirements. To find an optimal structure that satisfied the structural and mechanical stability requirements, we evaluated biomechanical stability using finite element analysis (FEA) and mechanical testing. To ensure clinical applicability, the model was subjected to histological evaluation. Each specimen was implanted in the femur of a rabbit and was evaluated using histological measurements and push-out test.

Results and Conclusion

We believe that our data will provide the basis for future applications of a variety of unit structures and further clinical trials and research, as well as the direction for the study of other patient-specific implants.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by a faculty research grant of Yonsei University College of Medicine for 2016 (6-2016-0075). Special thanks to Su-Heon Woo (School of Biomechanical Engineering, Inje University, Gimhae, Korea; Medyssey Co, Ltd. Jecheon, Korea) for his contribution.

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Author notes

  1. Jun Young Lim and Namhyun Kim contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Graduate School, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea

    Jun Young Lim

  2. Department of Medical Engineering, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea

    Namhyun Kim, Jong-Chul Park & Sun K. Yoo

  3. Department of Neurosurgery, Spine and Spinal Cord Institute, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea

    Dong Ah Shin

  4. Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Severance Children’s Hospital, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea

    Kyu-Won Shim

Authors
  1. Jun Young Lim
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  2. Namhyun Kim
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  3. Jong-Chul Park
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  4. Sun K. Yoo
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  5. Dong Ah Shin
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  6. Kyu-Won Shim
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kyu-Won Shim.

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All authors certify that they have no affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest or non-financial interest in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.

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Lim, J.Y., Kim, N., Park, JC. et al. Exploring for the optimal structural design for the 3D-printing technology for cranial reconstruction: a biomechanical and histological study comparison of solid vs. porous structure. Childs Nerv Syst 33, 1553–1562 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-017-3486-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-017-3486-y

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