Abstract
Introduction: In the present time, there is rapid development in the application of 3D printing technology in surgery. One of the challenges encountered by the surgeon is the sterilization of these 3D-printed objects for use in the operating room. Materials and Methods: Forty-two identical cutting guides used for genioplasty were 3D-printed: twenty-one in Polylactic acid (PLA) and twenty-one in Polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG). The guides were CT scanned after printing. They were then sterilized with the low-temperature hydrogen peroxide gas plasma technique (Sterrad®). A CT scan of the guides was also performed at T1 (after printing) and T2 (after sterilization). A software (Cloudcompare ®) was then used to accurately compare the volume of each guide at T0 (the initial computer-aided designed guide) vs T1 and T1 vs T2. Statistical analysis was then performed. Results: Although there are differences that are statistically significant for each series between T0 and T2 and T1 and T2 for both PLA and PETG, this had no impact on the clinical use of sterilized objects using hydrogen peroxide sterilization technique because these morphological differences were minimal at less than 0.2mm. Conclusion: Morphological deformations induced by the hydrogen peroxide sterilization are sub-millimeter and acceptable for surgical use. The hydrogen peroxide sterilization is, therefore, an alternative to avoid the deformation of 3D-printed objects made from PLA and PETG during conventional steam sterilization (autoclave). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study regarding the morphologic deformation of 3D-printed objects in PLA and PETG after sterilization for medical use.
Highlights
In the present time, there is rapid development in the application of 3D printing technology in surgery
Steam sterilization is not suitable for the PLA and PETG 3D-printing material, because other sterilization methods were excluded for different reasons
Because sterilization is mandatory for the use of 3D-printing medical objects in the operating room, a study was conducted to evaluate the morphological effect of hydrogen peroxide sterilization on a surgical genioplasty guide 3D-printed with PLA and PETG
Summary
There is rapid development in the application of 3D printing technology in surgery. The Open Dentistry Journal, 2019, Volume 13 411 and 3D printing within its hospital institution, aka “in-house printing”, or “point of care manufacturing” In both cases, the surgeon is faced with the problem of sterilization of 3D-printed objects, which is mandatory for their use in the operating room. The problem with plastic biomaterials such as Polylactic Acid (PLA) and Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol (PETG) is that they are sensitive to conventional thermal steam sterilization techniques, including the temperature of 121 degree Celsius and above with high rates of humidity). These materials are deformed with this type of sterilization
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
