Ear Reconstruction and 3D Printing: Is It Reality?

Abstract

Autologous reconstruction of microtia, the most common congenital external ear deformity, is one of the more challenging plastic surgical procedures, causing obligatory donor site morbidity and often resulting in suboptimal aesthetic outcomes. Recent advances in the fields of tissue engineering and 3D printing promise to profoundly affect the practice of reconstructive surgery. 3D printed guides are already used by reconstructive surgeons during correction of complex anatomic defects. Similarly, the prosthetics industry has benefited from the ability to rapidly prototype customized pieces. Bioprinting, the ability to 3D print living tissue, is an emerging field that may soon allow the possibility of creating autologous cartilage in specific shapes. In this review, we explore the numerous ways 3D printing is being employed to address external ear deformity and how, when used in combination with cutting-edge tissue engineering technology, it may finally help us achieve the holy grail of ear reconstruction—an “off-the-shelf” auricular scaffold.