3D-Printed Barrier Membrane Using Mixture of Polycaprolactone and Beta-Tricalcium Phosphate for Regeneration of Rabbit Calvarial Defects.

BACKGROUND

Polycarprolactone and beta tricalcium phosphate (PCL/β-TCP) are resorbable biomaterials that exhibit ideal mechanical properties as well as high affinity for osteogenic cells.

AIM

Objective of this study was to evaluate healing and tissue reaction to the PCL/β-TCP barrier membrane in the rabbit calvaria model for guided bone regeneration.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The PCL/β-TCP membranes were 3D printed. Three circular defects were created in calvaria of 10 rabbits. The three groups were randomly allocated for each specimen: (i) sham control; (ii) PCL/β-TCP membrane (PCL group); and (iii) PCL/β-TCP membrane with synthetic bone graft (PCL-BG group). The animals were euthanized after two (n = 5) and eight weeks (n = 5) for volumetric and histomorphometric analyses.

RESULTS

The greatest augmented volume was achieved by the PCL-BG group at both two and eight weeks ( < 0.01). There was a significant increase in new bone after eight weeks in the PCL group ( = 0.04). The PCL/β-TCP membrane remained intact after eight weeks with slight degradation, and showed good tissue integration.

CONCLUSIONS

PCL/β-TCP membrane exhibited good biocompatibility, slow degradation, and ability to maintain space over eight weeks. The 3D-printed PCL/β-TCP membrane is a promising biomaterial that could be utilized for reconstruction of critical sized defects.