Background: Bioresorbable patient-specific additive-manufactured bone grafts, meshes, and plates are emerging as a promising alternative that can overcome the challenges associated with conventional off-the-shelf implants. The fabrication of patient-specific implants (PSIs) directly at the point-of-care (POC), such as hospitals, clinics, and surgical centers, allows for more flexible, faster, and more efficient processes, reducing the need for outsourcing to external manufacturers. We want to emphasize the potential advantages of producing bioresorbable polymer implants for cranio-maxillofacial surgery at the POC by highlighting its surgical applications, benefits, and limitations. Methods: This study describes the workflow of designing and fabricating degradable polymeric PSIs using three-dimensional (3D) printing technology. The cortical bone was segmented from the patient’s computed tomography data using Materialise Mimics software, and the PSIs were designed created using Geomagic Freeform and nTopology software. The implants were finally printed via Arburg Plastic Freeforming (APF) of medical-grade poly (L-lactide-co-D, L-lactide) with 30% β-tricalcium phosphate and evaluated for fit. Results: 3D printed implants using APF technology showed surfaces with highly uniform and well-connected droplets with minimal gap formation between the printed paths. For the plates and meshes, a wall thickness down to 0.8 mm could be achieved. In this study, we successfully printed plates for osteosynthesis, implants for orbital floor fractures, meshes for alveolar bone regeneration, and bone scaffolds with interconnected channels. Conclusions: This study shows the feasibility of using 3D printing to create degradable polymeric PSIs seamlessly integrated into virtual surgical planning workflows. Implementing POC 3D printing of biodegradable PSI can potentially improve therapeutic outcomes, but regulatory compliance must be addressed.

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) has become the biomaterial of choice for repairing craniofacial defects over time. Prospects for the point-of-care (POC) fabrication of PEEK customized implants have surfaced thanks to the developments in three-dimensional (3D) printing systems. Consequently, it has become essential to investigate the characteristics of these in-house fabricated implants so that they meet the necessary standards and eventually provide the intended clinical benefits. This study aimed to investigate the effects of the steam sterilization method on the dimensional accuracy of POC 3D-printed PEEK customized cranial implants. The objective was to assess the influence of standard sterilization procedures on material extrusion-based 3D-printed PEEK customized implants with non-destructive material testing. Fifteen PEEK customized cranial implants were fabricated using an in-house material extrusion-based 3D printer. After fabrication, the cranial implants were digitalized with a professional-grade optical scanner before and after sterilization. The dimensional changes for the 3D-printed PEEK cranial implants were analyzed using medically certified 3D image-based engineering software. The material extrusion 3D-printed PEEK customized cranial implants displayed no statistically significant dimensional difference with steam sterilization (p > 0.05). Evaluation of the cranial implants’ accuracy revealed that the dimensions were within the clinically acceptable accuracy level with deviations under 1.00 mm. Steam sterilization does not significantly alter the dimensional accuracy of the in-house 3D-printed PEEK customized cranial implants.

Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is a potentially preventable adverse side effect of mainly antiresorptive drugs. MRONJ is expected to become a growing clinical problem due to the aging population and the increasing number of patients requiring antiresorptive agents. Knowledge and awareness about MRONJ and elimination of the oral and dental risk factors before starting antiresorptive therapy (AR) are fundamental to reducing the incidence of MRONJ. In urology, ARs are used primarily in patients suffering from bone metastases due to prostate cancer and to prevent cancer-treatment-induced bone loss (CTIBL) in prostate cancer patients receiving endocrine therapy. This postal survey aimed to evaluate disease-related knowledge and awareness about implementing oral examinations for patients starting AR among Swiss, German, and Austrian urologists. A total of 176 urologists returned the completed questionnaire, yielding a response rate of 11.7%. Of the respondents, 44.9% (n = 79) and 24.4% (n = 43) stated that they give more than five first-time prescriptions of denosumab and of intravenous or oral bisphosphonates per year, respectively. Only 14.8% (n = 26) of the participating urologists had never encountered MRONJ cases related to BPs. Of the participants, 89.8% (n = 158) had implemented referrals to dentists for oral examination before initiating AR. The mean percentage of correct answers regarding the knowledge about MRONJ was 70.9% ± 11.2%. In contrast to previous surveys on MRONJ among physicians, this study showed that the participating urologists were sufficiently informed about MRONJ, as reflected by the high number of participants implementing preventive dental screenings.

Three-dimensional (3D) printing enables the fabrication of biomimetic scaffolds for craniomaxillofacial (CMF) bone regeneration, offering patient-specific solutions with tailored mechanical and biological properties. This study presents a 3D-printed gyroid scaffold composed of poly(L-lactide-co-D,L-lactide) (PDLLA) and β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP), designed to enhance structural integrity and bioactivity. Using computer-aided design and a dual-material additive manufacturing approach incorporating a water-soluble support material, scaffolds with controlled porosity and tunable mechanical properties are fabricated to match trabecular mandibular bone characteristics.Mechanical testing demonstrates that modulating wall thickness and porosity optimizes compressive strength and elastic modulus, ensuring stability under physiological loads.Chemical and cytotoxicity analyses confirm biocompatibility across manufacturing, postprocessing, and sterilization. Biofunctionalization with polydopamine (PDA) and nanohydroxyapatite (nHAP) enables selective cellular responses. PDA suppresses cell mineralization, while PDA-nHAP enhances osteogenic differentiation and fibroblast adhesion, supporting regenerative applications. High fidelity to CAD models and suitability for point-of-care fabrication underscore its clinical potential for CMF defect repair.By integrating tunable mechanics and targeted bioactivity, the developed scaffold offers a versatile platform for CMF reconstruction, addressing critical challenges in bone tissue engineering.

Minimally invasive in situ bioprinting can potentially enhance the advantages of bioprinting, allowing the surrounding healthy tissue to be maximally preserved. However, the requirements for such a device are manifold and challenging to fulfill. We present an experimental bioprinting platform consisting of an extrusion system based on a tube mounted between an extrusion syringe and a dispensing nozzle. We investigated the influence of material transfer through a tube on the printing outcome. The results showed that it is feasible to form a continuous filament and print 3-dimensional structures using the developed platform.

Objectives: Orbital lymphatic-venous malformations (LVMs) are rare congenital anomalies that can cause significant functional and aesthetic impairments. Case presentation: This case report details the comprehensive treatment of a 47-year-old male with a longstanding orbital combined slow-flow vascular malformation. Diagnostic evaluation included magnetic resonance imaging and a sonographically guided core needle biopsy, which confirmed a benign lymphatic-venous malformation. The treatment started with minimally invasive sclerotherapy to reduce lesion size, followed by surgical debulking to alleviate proptosis and mechanical restrictions. Finally, reconstructive surgery addressed residual eyelid deformities, including ectropion and ptosis. Post-treatment outcomes demonstrated stable visual function, improved eyelid position, and a significant enhancement in the patient’s aesthetic appearance and quality of life. Conclusions: The staged, multimodal approach underscores the importance of individualized treatment planning and interdisciplinary collaboration. This case highlights the potential for excellent functional and aesthetic outcomes in the management of complex orbital LVMs when nonsurgical and surgical techniques are strategically combined.