Titanium (Ti)-based implants play a significant role in rigid internal fixation in maxillofacial surgery. No study has reported that three-dimensional-printed Ti alloy plates (3D-Ti plates) have comprehensively excellent properties similar to standard plates (Matrix-MANDIBLE, SYNTHES, Switzerland) (Synthes-Ti plates). In this work, we manufactured 3D-Ti plates by selective laser melting with Ti6Al4V powder. The surface morphology, mechanical properties, and bone–plate contact rate of the 3D-Ti plates and the Synthes-Ti plates were characterized and compared via electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, Vickers hardness test, three-point bending test, and software calculation. Human bone marrow stromal cells (HBMSCs) were cultured on the plates to test their biocompatibility. Importantly, the 3D-Ti plates were placed into a mandibular fracture model to assess the effect of medical application for 4 and 24 weeks. The 3D-Ti plates were demonstrated to have similar biocompatibility and stability for rigid internal fixation with the Synthes-Ti plates, lower roughness (106.44 ± 78.35 nm), better mechanical strength (370.78 ± 1.25 HV10), and a higher bone–plate contact rate (96.9%). These promising results indicate the feasibility of using 3D-Ti plates for irregular shapes and complex anatomical structures in a clinical context.
13 September 2021 in Facial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Medicine
Importance: Leveling Cupid's bow while maintaining lip height and width in unilateral complete cleft lip patients with improved nose outcomes is a significant challenge for surgeons. Objective: This study aimed to measure the symmetry of the nasal and labial anthropometric points after using this modified cleft lip repair technique. Design, Setting, and Participants: In this retrospective study, 72 consecutive nonsyndromic unilateral complete cleft lip patients underwent a modified rotational advancement technique. Photos of at least 1 year follow-up period were collected. Main Outcomes and Measures: The nose measurements included columella length, nostril height and width, ala width, nostril inclination, columella angle, and ala bases angle. The lip measurements included lip height and width, vermillion height; midline-philtrum angle, and angles of Cupid's bow peaks. Descriptive quantitative analysis of the lip and nose measurements, intraclass correlation coefficient, and ANOVA tests were conducted. Results: Well-aligned Cupid's bows with symmetrical lip height and width were obtained with satisfactory aesthetic nasal outcomes. Conclusions: The present technique had leveled the Cupid's bow while preserving the lip height and width, with resultant satisfactory nasal outcomes.