Main Clinical Use of Additive Manufacturing (Three-Dimensional Printing) in Finland Restricted to the Head and Neck Area in 2016-2017

Background and Aims: Additive manufacturing or three-dimensional printing is a novel production methodology for producing patient-specific models, medical aids, tools, and implants. However, the clinical impact of this technology is unknown. In this study, we sought to characterize the clinical adoption of medical additive manufacturing in Finland in 2016-2017. We focused on non-dental usage at university hospitals. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire containing five questions was sent by email to all operative, radiologic, and oncologic departments of all university hospitals in Finland. Respondents who reported extensive use of medical additive manufacturing were contacted with additional, personalized questions. Results: Of the 115 questionnaires sent, 58 received answers. Of the responders, 41% identified as non-users, including all general/gastrointestinal (GI) and vascular surgeons, urologists, and gynecologists; 23% identified as experimenters or previous users; and 36% identified as heavy users. Usage was concentrated around the head area by various specialties (neurosurgical, craniomaxillofacial, ear, nose and throat diseases (ENT), plastic surgery). Applications included repair of cranial vault defects and malformations, surgical oncology, trauma, and cleft palate reconstruction. Some routine usage was also reported in orthopedics. In addition to these patient-specific uses, we identified several off-the-shelf medical components that were produced by additive manufacturing, while some important patient-specific components were produced by traditional methodologies such as milling. Conclusion: During 2016-2017, medical additive manufacturing in Finland was routinely used at university hospitals for several applications in the head area. Outside of this area, usage was much less common. Future research should include all patient-specific products created by a computer-aided design/manufacture workflow from imaging data, instead of concentrating on the production methodology.Peer reviewe

Main Clinical Use of Additive Manufacturing (Three-Dimensional Printing) in Finland Restricted to the Head and Neck Area in 2016–2017

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Biomaterial and implant induced ossification: in vitro and in vivo findings

Material-induced ossification is suggested as a suitable approach to heal large bone defects. Fiber-reinforced composite-bioactive glasses (FRC-BG) display properties which could enhance the ossification of calvarial defects. Here, we analyzed the healing processes of a FRC-BG implant in vivo from the perspective of material-induced ossification. Histological analysis of the implant, which was removed five months after insertion, showed the formation of viable, non-inflammatory mesenchymal tissue with newly-formed mineralized woven bone, as well as non-mineralized connective tissue with capillaries and larger blood vessels. The presence of osteocytes was detected within the newly generated bone matrix. To expand our understanding on the osteogenic properties of FRC-BG, we cultured human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (AD-MSCs) in the presence of two different BGs (45S5 and S53P4) and Al2 O3 control. AD-MSCs grew and proliferated on all the scaffolds tested, as well as secreted abundant extracellular matrix, when osteogenic differentiation was appropriately stimulated. 45S5 and S53P4 induced enhanced expression of COL2A1, COL10A1, COL5A1 collagen subunits and pro-osteogenic genes BMP2 and BMP4. The concomitant downregulation of BMP3 was also detected. Our findings show that FRC-BG can support the vascularization of the implant and the formation of abundant connective tissue in vivo. Specifically, BG 45S5 and BG S53P4 are suited to evoke the osteogenic potential of host mesenchymal stromal cells. In conclusion, FRC-BG implant demonstrated material-induced ossification both in vitro and in vivo

Do antibiotic-impregnated shunts in hydrocephalus therapy reduce the risk of infection? An observational study in 258 patients

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Shunt infection in hydrocephalus patients is a severe, even life-threatening complication. Antibiotic-impregnated shunts (AIS) have been developed in an attempt to reduce rate of shunt infection. The study was performed to analyze if AIS can diminish the rate of shunt infection. The pathogenic nature of shunt infection in patients with AIS systems and those without antibiotic impregnated shunts (non-AIS) was compared.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Over a period of 24 months in the Department of Neurosurgery at University Hospital of Tübingen shunt surgery was performed in 258 patients. In 86 patients AIS systems were implanted. Shunt catheters were commercially impregnated with clindamycin and rifampicin. Analysis of the clinical data included sex, age, classification of hydrocephalus, shunt types and risk factors for shunt infection [age (< 1 year and > 80 years), prematurely born patients, external ventricular drainage, former shunt infection, former systemic infection, disturbance of consciousness, former radiation-/chemotherapy]. Infection rates and underlying bacterial pathogens of patients with AIS were compared to patients with implanted non-AIS systems (172 patients).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>AIS and non-AIS patients did not differ in sex, etiology of hydrocephalus and the shunt type. In the AIS group 72 out of 86 patients had at least one risk factor (83.7 %), compared to 126 patients in the non-AIS group (73.3 %). There was no significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.0629; Fisher's exact test). In patients with no risk factors, only one patient with non-AIS suffered from shunt infection. In patients with one or more risk factors the rate for shunt infection was 7.14 % in patients with non-AIS and 6.94 % in patients with AIS. Former shunt infection (p = 0.0124) was related to higher risk for shunt infection. The use of AIS had therefore no significant advantage (p = 0.8611; multiple logistic regression).</p> <p>Significantly related to a shunt infection was the number of shunt surgeries. 190 interventions in the AIS group (2.21 interventions per patient) and 408 in the non-AIS group (2.37 interventions per patient) had been performed (p = 0.3063; Wilcoxon). There was no shunt infection in the group of patients on whom only one shunt surgery was performed. In patients with at least two shunt surgeries the infection rate was 9%. The infection rate in AIS patients was 5/52 (9.6 %) and in the non-AIS 10/114 (8.77 %), (p = 1.0; Fisher's exact test). Staphylococcus epidermidis was the most frequent pathogen for shunt infection. Fourteen out of 15 infections occurred within the first 6 months of surgery. The most frequent pathogen for shunt infection was S. epidermidis. No toxic or allergic complications were seen using the AIS shunt systems. The presented data show a remarkably low infection rate of 5.8 % in the non-AIS group compared to other studies which demonstrated a significant decrease in the infection rate by AIS.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>AIS did not significantly reduce shunt infection in hydrocephalus patients in the presented study. In the AIS group three patients suffered from shunt infections caused by skin ulceration or neurosurgical procedures with exposure of the cerebrospinal liquor after shunt implantation. AIS was not developed to prevent infection in such cases, therefore an advantage of AIS can not be excluded. In view of the presented data and the small number of reported studies a prospective randomized multicenter study is required.</p

Biodegradable poly‑L‑lactide‑co‑glycolide copolymer pin fixation of a traumatic patellar osteochondral fragment in an 11‑year‑old child:a novel surgical approach

Abstract Treating displaced patellar bone fractures in growing children remains a challenge for orthopedic surgeons. Removal of loose bone fragments may prolong healing time and result in early onset osteoarthrosis. Therefore, primary fixation of osteochondral fragments is preferred. Metallic pin and screw implants are typically used for fixation, as there is little evidence available regarding the use of modern biodegradable implants in traumatic patellar fractures of a premature skeleton. The present report describes a novel operative technique using headless poly‑L‑lactide‑co‑glycolide (PLGA) pins in treating an 11‑year‑old girl with a patellar fracture from a cycling injury. The surgical technique of this procedure is described in detail in the current report. Excellent subjective outcomes were achieved from this surgery, with superb bone healing according to follow‑up radiographic and computerized tomography scans. In conclusion, the results of this case indicate that, similarly to osteochondritis, intra‑articular osteochondral fractures in children may be fixed using biodegradable PLGA pins. Randomized clinical trials should be performed to confirm this finding and evaluate the use of PLGA pins as a treatment for adolescent osteochondral fractures

The dura split technique in the treatment of craniosynostosis:is it still an option?

Abstract Background: The aim of this study was to report the outcome and the complications for patients operated on for craniosynostosis using the dura split technique. Specifically, the authors aimed to evaluate the safety of this technique, which is currently not in use, and to determine whether it is still useable. Methods: The data was collected from the hospital patient records of all children surgically treated for craniosynostosis using the dura split technique in Turku University Hospital during the period 1975 to 2015. The data was analyzed to determine the clinical and radiological outcomes of the surgical procedure, the need for reoperations, and the rate of complications. Results: During the study period, the dura split technique was used in the surgery of 65 patients. The outcome was either good or acceptable in most patients and reoperation was needed in only 2 patients (3.1%). Surgical complications included significant blood loss (26.2%), lesions on the inner layer of the dura (21.5%), leakage of cerebrospinal fluid (13.8%), and persistent bone defects (15.4% on palpation and 63.1% radiologically). Conclusions: Although the outcome of surgery for craniosynostosis using the dura split technique was mostly acceptable and the need for reoperations rare, the technique cannot, however, be recommended in the future due to high rates of bone defects, frequent problems with lesions on the inner layer of the dura, and consequent perioperative leakage of cerebrospinal fluid

Abusive head trauma in small children:a single-centre experience in Finland

Abstract Shaken baby syndrome (SBS) is a challenging condition from both a medical and legal perspective. The path of the patients differs significantly from those with noninflicted traumas. While treating these cases, it is essential that all history, information and treatment are comprehensively documented. This article describes the investigations and interventions necessary as soon as SBS is suspected. The Oulu University Hospital protocol for suspected child abuse is described. Authors also give an overview of the SBS path in Finland from the police and prosecution’s point of view