RT Journal Article
T1 3D Biomimetic Porous Titanium (Ti6Al4V ELI) Scaffolds for Large Bone Critical Defect Reconstruction: An Experimental Study in Sheep.
A1 Crovace, Alberto Maria
A1 Lacitignola, Luca
A1 Forleo, Donato Monopoli
A1 Staffieri, Francesco
A1 Francioso, Edda
A1 Di Meo, Antonio
A1 Becerra, José
A1 Crovace, Antonio
A1 Santos-Ruiz, Leonor
K1 EBM (electron beam melting)
K1 additive manufacturing
K1 animal model
K1 biomechanics
K1 bone
K1 bone fracture
K1 bone repair
K1 critical-size bone defect
K1 metal endo-implant
K1 sheep
K1 titanium alloy
AB The main goal in the treatment of large bone defects is to guarantee a rapid loading of the affected limb. In this paper, the authors proposed a new reconstructive technique that proved to be suitable to reach this purpose through the use of a custom-made biomimetic porous titanium scaffold. An in vivo study was undertaken where a complete critical defect was experimentally created in the diaphysis of the right tibia of twelve sheep and replaced with a five-centimeter porous scaffold of electron beam melting (EBM)-sintered titanium alloy (EBM group n = 6) or a porous hydroxyapatite scaffold (CONTROL group, n = 6). After surgery, the sheep were allowed to move freely in the barns. The outcome was monitored for up to 12 months by periodical X-ray and clinical examination. All animals in the CONTROL group were euthanized for humane reasons within the first month after surgery due to the onset of plate bending due to mechanical overload. Nine months after surgery, X-ray imaging showed the complete integration of the titanium implant in the tibia diaphysis and remodeling of the periosteal callus, with a well-defined cortical bone. At 12 months, sheep were euthanized, and the tibia were harvested and subjected to histological analysis. This showed bone tissue formations with bone trabeculae bridging titanium trabeculae, evidencing an optimal tissue-metal interaction. Our results show that EBM-sintered titanium devices, if used to repair critical bone defects in a large animal model, can guarantee immediate body weight-bearing, a rapid functional recovery, and a good osseointegration. The porous hydroxyapatite scaffolds proved to be not suitable in this model of large bone defect due to their known poor mechanical properties.
SN 2076-2615
YR 2020
FD 2020-08-11
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10668/24736
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10668/24736
LA en
DS RISalud
RD Apr 11, 2025