Correcting of Calf Atrophy With a Custom-Made Silicone Implant: Contribution of Three-Dimensional Computer-Aided Design Reconstruction: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Calf shape is an essential aesthetic parameter of the leg, and calf atrophy can lead to complex problems. The functional consequences of calf atrophy are generally moderate. Prefilled silicone gel implants represent the vast majority of currently placed prostheses, but this technique does not ensure optimal adaptation of the implant shape due to loss of volume. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to describe an innovative procedure for correcting acquired calf atrophy based on 3-dimensional (3D) modeling. METHODS: The study involved 22 patients treated for calf atrophy caused by illness. Implants were made with solid rubber silicone, and 3D reconstructions were created by computer-aided design based on computed tomography scans. The implants were introduced through a horizontal popliteal incision. RESULTS: Forty-one implants were placed. No cases of infection, hematoma, or compartment syndrome were encountered. We experienced 1 case of skin necrosis and 1 case of periprosthetic seroma. In addition, lipofilling was performed in 5 cases. Two patients sought to benefit from a surgical reduction in implant size. CONCLUSIONS: Our innovative procedure to correct calf atrophy with custom solid rubber silicone implants produces a calf shape that better adapts to volume loss than prefilled silicone gel implants. The material maintains its shape and facilitates retrofitting of the prosthesis. There is no risk of hull formation or breakage, and the life span of the implants is limitless. This 3D computer-aided design approach has optimized our reconstructions.

Treatment of complex airway stenoses using patient-specific 3D-engineered stents: a proof-of-concept study.

Anatomically complex airway stenosis (ACAS) represents a challenging situation in which commercially available stents often result in migration or granulation tissue reaction due to poor congruence. This proof-of-concept clinical trial investigated the feasibility and safety of computer-assisted designed (CAD) and manufactured personalised three-dimensional (3D) stents in patients with ACAS from various origins. After CAD of a virtual stent from a CT scan, a mould is manufactured using a 3D computer numerical control machine, from which a medical-grade silicone stent is made. Complication rate, dyspnoea, quality of life and respiratory function were followed after implantation. The congruence of the stent was assessed peroperatively and at 1 week postimplantation (CT scan). The stent could be implanted in all 10 patients. The 3-month complication rate was 40%, including one benign mucus plugging, one stent removal due to intense cough and two stent migrations. 9 of 10 stents showed great congruence within the airways, and 8 of 10 induced significant improvement in dyspnoea, quality of life and respiratory function. These promising outcomes in highly complex situations support further investigation on the subject, including technological improvements.​ TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02889029.

A 3D-engineered silicone stent to treat a refractory bronchopleural fistula.

A novel 3D-engineered silicone stent was successfully used to treat a refractory bronchopleural fistula of the right lower lobe in a patient with an open-window thoracostomy who complained of severe dysphonia and recurrent infections https://bit.ly/3GrKs2p.

Correcting Poland Syndrome with a Custom-Made Silicone Implant: Contribution of Three-Dimensional Computer-Aided Design Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Poland syndrome is historically associated with hypoplasia of the pectoral major muscle and abnormalities of the upper limbs. The authors propose an innovative procedure for correcting Poland syndrome thoracic malformations using three-dimensional modeling. Moreover, the authors evaluated aesthetic improvement, satisfaction, and quality of life after reconstruction with computer-aided design customized silicone implants. METHODS: Since 1993, the authors have treated 129 patients for Poland syndrome. Before 2007, the implants were made from plaster molds; since 2007, they have been made using three-dimensional computer-aided design. Patient satisfaction was assessed using a standardized questionnaire, and quality of life was evaluated using the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey. RESULTS: Lipofilling was performed in combination with computer-aided design in one-third of cases, and breast prostheses were required in 24 percent of cases. We found three exposed prostheses and two infections. Cosmetic results were excellent in more than 90 percent of cases, and more than 80 percent of patients were very satisfied or satisfied, with no significant difference between men and women (p = 0.382). The Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey scores revealed significant improvements in role emotional (p < 0.05), emotional well-being (p < 0.001), and social functioning (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Correcting Poland syndrome using a computer-aided design silicone implant fulfilled aesthetic and psychological demands, and significant improvements were seen in quality of life. The technique is simple and reliable and yields high-quality results, and three-dimensional computer-aided design has optimized the authors' reconstructions. Nevertheless, associated procedures and secondary corrections remain necessary to obtain optimal results. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.

Integration of 3D printing and additive manufacturing in the interventional pulmonologist's toolbox.

New 3D technologies are rapidly entering into the surgical landscape, including in interventional pulmonology. The transition of 2D restricted data into a physical model of pathological airways by three-dimensional printing (3DP) allows rapid prototyping and fabrication of complex and patient-specific shapes and can thus help the physician to plan and guide complex procedures. Furthermore, computer-assisted designed (CAD) patient-specific devices have already helped surgeons overcome several therapeutic impasses and are likely to rapidly cover a wider range of situations. We report herein with a special focus on our clinical experience: i) how additive manufacturing is progressively integrated into the management of complex central airways diseases; ii) the appealing future directions of these new technologies, including the potential of the emerging technique of bioprinting; iii) the main pitfalls that could delay its introduction into routine care.