Biomechanical evaluation of additively manufactured patient-specific mandibular cage implants designed with a semi-automated workflow: A cadaveric and retrospective case study.

OBJECTIVE: Mandibular reconstruction using patient-specific cage implants is a promising alternative to the vascularized free flap reconstruction for nonirradiated patients with adequate soft tissues, or for patients whose clinical condition is not conducive to microsurgical reconstruction. This study aimed to assess the biomechanical performance of 3D printed patient-specific cage implants designed with a semi-automated workflow in a combined cadaveric and retrospective case series study. METHODS: We designed cage implants for two human cadaveric mandibles using our previously developed design workflow. The biomechanical performance of the implants was assessed with the finite element analysis (FEA) and quasi-static biomechanical testing. Digital image correlation (DIC) was used to measure the full-field strains and validate the FE models by comparing the distribution of maximum principal strains within the bone. The retrospective study of a case series involved three patients, each of whom was treated with a cage implant of similar design. The biomechanical performance of these implants was evaluated using the experimentally validated FEA under the scenarios of both mandibular union and nonunion. RESULTS: No implant or screw failure was observed prior to contralateral bone fracture during the quasi-static testing of both cadaveric mandibles. The FEA and DIC strain contour plots indicated a strong linear correlation (r = 0.92) and a low standard error (SE=29.32µÎµ), with computational models yielding higher strain values by a factor of 2.7. The overall stresses acting on the case series' implants stayed well below the yield strength of additively manufactured (AM) commercially pure titanium, when simulated under highly strenuous chewing conditions. Simulating a full union between the graft and remnant mandible yielded a substantial reduction (72.7±1.5%) in local peak stresses within the implants as compared to a non-bonded graft. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows the suitability of the developed semi-automated workflow in designing patient-specific cage implants with satisfactory mechanical functioning under demanding chewing conditions. The proposed workflow can aid clinical engineers in creating reconstruction systems and streamlining pre-surgical planning. Nevertheless, more research is still needed to evaluate the osteogenic potential of bone graft insertions.

Semi-automated digital workflow to design and evaluate patient-specific mandibular reconstruction implants.

The reconstruction of large mandibular defects with optimal aesthetic and functional outcomes remains a major challenge for maxillofacial surgeons. The aim of this study was to design patient-specific mandibular reconstruction implants through a semi-automated digital workflow and to assess the effects of topology optimization on the biomechanical performance of the designed implants. By using the proposed workflow, a fully porous implant (LA-implant) and a topology-optimized implant (TO-implant) both made of Ti-6Al-4V ELI were designed and additively manufactured using selective laser melting. The mechanical performance of the implants was predicted by performing finite element analysis (FEA) and was experimentally assessed by conducting quasi-static and cyclic biomechanical tests. Digital image correlation (DIC) was used to validate the FE model by comparing the principal strains predicted by the FEM model with the measured distribution of the same type of strain. The numerical predictions were in good agreement with the DIC measurements and the predicted locations of specimen failure matched the actual ones. No statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in the mean stiffness, mean ultimate load, or mean ultimate displacement were detected between the LA- and TO-implant groups. No implant failures were observed during quasi-static or cyclic testing under masticatory loads that were substantially higher (>1000 N) than the average maximum biting force of healthy individuals. Given its relatively lower weight (16.5%), higher porosity (17.4%), and much shorter design time (633.3%), the LA-implant is preferred for clinical application. This study clearly demonstrates the capability of the proposed workflow to develop patient-specific implants with high precision and superior mechanical performance, which will greatly facilitate cost- and time-effective pre-surgical planning and is expected to improve the surgical outcome.

Rates, costs, return to work and reoperation following spinal surgery in a workers' compensation cohort in New South Wales, 2010-2018: a cohort study using administrative data.

BACKGROUND: Internationally, elective spinal surgery rates in workers' compensation populations are high, as are reoperation rates, while return-to-work rates following spinal surgery are low. Little information is available from Australia. The aim of this study was to describe the rates, costs, return to work and reoperation following elective spinal surgery in the workers' compensation population in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study used administrative data from the State Insurance Regulatory Authority, the government organisation responsible for regulating and administering workers' compensation insurance in NSW. These data cover all workers' compensation-insured workers in New South Wales (over 3 million workers/year). We identified a cohort of insured workers who underwent elective spinal surgery (fusion or decompression) between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2018. People who underwent surgery for spinal fracture or dislocation, or who had sustained a traumatic brain injury were excluded. The main outcome measures were annual spinal surgery rates, cost of the surgical episode, cumulative costs (surgical, hospital, medical and physical therapy) to 2 years post-surgery, and reoperation and return-to-work rates 2 years post-surgery. RESULTS: There were 9343 eligible claims (39.1 % fusion; 59.9 % decompression); claimants were predominantly male (75 %) with a mean age of 43 (range 18 to 75) years. Spinal surgery rates ranged from 15 to 29 surgeries per 100,000 workers per year, fell from 2011-12 to 2014-15 and rose thereafter. The average cost in Australian dollars for a surgical episode was $46,000 for a spinal fusion and $20,000 for a decompression. Two years post-fusion, only 19 % of people had returned to work at full capacity; 39 % after decompression. Nineteen percent of patients underwent additional spinal surgery within 2 years of the index surgery, to a maximum of 5 additional surgeries. CONCLUSION: Rates of workers' compensation-funded spinal surgery did not rise significantly during the study period, but reoperation rates are high and return-to-work rates are low in this population at 2 years post- surgery. In the context of the poor evidence base supporting lumbar fusion surgery, the high cost, increasing rates, and the increased likelihood of poor outcomes in the workers' compensation population, we question the value of this procedure in this setting.

Collagen matrix as an inlay in endoscopic skull base reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Multi-layer reconstruction has become standard in endoscopic skull base surgery. The inlay component used can vary among autografts, allografts, xenografts and synthetics, primarily based on surgeon preference. The short- and long-term outcomes of collagen matrix in skull base reconstruction are described. METHODS: A case series of patients who underwent endoscopic skull base reconstruction with collagen matrix inlay were assessed. Immediate peri-operative outcomes (cerebrospinal fluid leak, meningitis, ventriculitis, intracranial bleeding, epistaxis, seizures) and delayed complications (delayed healing, meningoencephalocele, prolapse of reconstruction, delayed cerebrospinal fluid leak, ascending meningitis) were examined. RESULTS: Of 120 patients (51.0 ± 17.5 years, 41.7 per cent female), peri-operative complications totalled 12.7 per cent (cerebrospinal fluid leak, 3.3 per cent; meningitis, 3.3 per cent; other intracranial infections, 2.5 per cent; intracranial bleeding, 1.7 per cent; epistaxis, 1.7 per cent; and seizures, 0 per cent). Delayed complications did not occur in any patients. CONCLUSION: Collagen matrix is an effective inlay material. It provides robust long-term separation between sinus and cranial cavities, and avoids donor site morbidity, but carries additional cost.

Neurological deficit following stereotactic radiosurgery for trigeminal neuralgia.

We report a unique case of neurological deficit from late onset multiple sclerosis (MS), in a 65-year-old woman, after stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for trigeminal neuralgia (TN). At 3.5months post-SRS for TN, the patient developed ataxia and left leg paraesthesiae and brain MRI showed altered signal and enhancement in the vicinity of the right trigeminal root entry zone (REZ). The symptoms remitted following treatment with intravenous methylprednisolone, however, 10months post-SRS, the patient developed gait ataxia and left lower limb weakness. MRI showed persistent T2 changes at the REZ and multiple new non-enhancing white matter lesions in the cerebrum and spinal cord; and oligoclonal bands were present in the cerebrospinal fluid but not serum. A diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) was made. This report raises the issue of whether the risk of radiation-induced toxicity is increased in patients with MS treated with SRS. We hypothesise that breakdown in the blood brain barrier secondary to the radiosurgery may have triggered a vigorous local inflammatory response.