Titanium Micromesh Research Articles

Large Chest Wall Reconstruction Using Titanium Micromesh and a Pedicled Latissimus Dorsi Musculocutaneous Flap: Report of a Case

The patient was a 54-year-old woman with a dermatopleural fistula and necrosis of the third to the fifth anterior ribs after postoperative adjuvant radiation for right breast cancer. After resection of the chest wall and combined partial resection of the right upper and middle lobes of the lung, the thoracic cage defect was stabilized by titanium micromesh and the soft tissue defect was covered by an ipsilateral pedicled latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap. The dorsal skin defect was covered by split-thickness skin grafts 3 weeks later. The advantages of titanium micromesh lie not only in its good biocompatibility and mechanical strength, but also in its light weight and low radiological interference. No paradoxical movement or other prosthesis-related complications occurred during the follow-up period. Thus, we consider that titanium micromesh is a suitable material to use in the reconstruction of a large chest wall defect.

《歯科補綴における再生医療の方向性》骨再生の臨床―口腔外科的立場から―

Bone augmentation or the alveolar ridge augmentation procedure is inevitable for functional and esthetic prosthetic oral rehabilitation. In this article, conventional alveolar ridge augmentation methods are clinically demonstrated and are reviewed with reference to literature. In addition, distraction osteogenesis (DO), which has drawn considerable attention as a regenerative medicine, was clinically demonstrated. Then, the conventional augmentation methods and distraction are compared. Indications, advantages, and disadvantages of conventional augmentation methods including bone grafts, guided bone regeneration (GBR) and GBR with titanium micromesh (TIME technique) are demonstrated. Next, the mechanisms, indications, and advantages of DO are demonstrated and compared with conventional methods. Although conventional augmentation methods are well established, there are some problems including donor site morbidity and risks of wound dehiscence and infection. DO seems to have advantages compared to conventional augmentation methods. However, there still have some clinical problems such as difficulty in vector control and technique sensitivity. For less morbidity and better efficacy in alveolar ridge bone augmentation, tissue engineering offers potential in the future. However, further basic and clinical study will be necessary for clinical application.

Vertical alveolar ridge augmentation by means of a titanium mesh and autogenous bone grafts.

The aim of this study is to evaluate a surgical protocol for vertical ridge augmentation in the maxilla and mandible using autogenous onlay bone graft associated with a titanium mesh. A group of 18 partially edentulous patients, presenting the need for vertical bone augmentation of at least 4 mm, were treated before implant placement. During the first surgery, an autogenous bone graft was harvested from either the mandibular ramus or the mental symphysis and secured by means of titanium screws. Particulate bone was added and a titanium micro-mesh was used to stabilize and protect the graft. After a mean interval of 4.6 months, meshes and screws were removed and 37 endosseous implants were successfully placed. The desired bone gain was reached in all patients. Mean vertical bone augmentation obtained was 4.8 mm (range 4-7 mm). No major complications were recorded at recipient or donor sites. Abutment connection was carried out 2-3 months after implant placement. No implant was lost. Clinical parameters and probing depth, after prosthetic reconstruction, demonstrated the presence of a healthy peri-implant mucosa. The preliminary results suggest that, by using the presented technique, patients can be successfully rehabilitated by means of implant-supported prosthesis 6-7 months after the first surgery, even in case of severely atrophied maxilla.

Regeneration of the alveolar crest using titanium micromesh with autologous bone and a resorbable membrane.

Guided bone regeneration (GBR) has been used for the regeneration of bone in conjunction with the placement of oral implants. The aim of the present study was to clinically and histologically evaluate the use of a titanium micromesh and a resorbable membrane in the GBR technique in patients with alveolar crest defects due to periodontitis, trauma, and extractions. Eighteen patients participated in this study, and 50 implants were inserted. The postoperative healing was uneventful, no dehiscences were observed, and all implants were functioning successfully at 7-year follow-up. At reentry, in all cases, the space under the titanium mesh was completely filled by bone. From a clinical point of view, in all patients, no residual bone defects were observed and a significant increase of the alveolar width or height was found. In all cases, a good esthetic result of the restorative procedures was present.

Long-term results following reconstruction of craniofacial defects with titanium micro-mesh systems

Introduction: Reconstruction of craniofacial defects can be carried out with autogenous tissue (calvarium, rib, iliac crest), allogeneic implants (AAA-bone, lyophilized cartilage) or alloplastic material (methacrylate, hydroxyapatite, titanium implants and mesh systems). Selection of the implant material used for reconstruction is still controversial. Material and Methods: At the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kantonsspital Luzern, 20 patients with defects in the craniofacial and/or orbito-ethmoidal region have been treated using titanium micro-mesh between 1991 and 1998. Two different mesh systems, micro-titanium augmentation mesh and dynamic mesh, have been used for bony reconstruction in non load-bearing areas. The defects were caused by acute trauma, osteomyelitis of the frontal bone and previous operations. The titanium micro-mesh was used with the following indications: (1) immediate reconstruction in the primary treatment of comminuted fractures with bone loss in non load-bearing areas, (2) treatment of contour irregularities (possibly in combination with bone or cartilage grafts). All patients were followed up clinically and radiographically at quarterly intervals for a year. Results: No wound infections, exposures or loss of the mesh have been observed. Long-term stability of the reconstructions was excellent. When walls of the paranasal sinuses were reconstructed complete repneumatisation took place. Conclusions: Advantages of this reconstructive technique are: (1) universal applicability (craniofacial, orbital, sinus defects, comminuted fractures); (2) stable 3-D reconstruction of complex anatomic structures were easily performed; (3) immediate availability with no donor site morbidity as bone or cartilage grafts were not necessary; (4) combination with bone or cartilage grafts is possible; and (5) very low susceptibility to infection.

Combined use of titanium mesh and biocompatible osteoconductive polymer in the treatment of full thickness calvarial defects

Restoration of bony defects is a common problem in craniofacial surgery. This article describes a versatile approach using a combination of titanium micromesh or midimesh and biocompatible osteoconductive polymer to restore calvarial bone loss.

Anatomic reconstruction of the posterolateral cranial base with titanium micromesh for combined transpetrosal approach: technical note.

We describe a new technique for the anatomic closure of the posterior petrosectomy defect after the combined supra-infratentorial transpetrosal approach for petroclival lesions. With this technique, a titanium micromesh, tailored according to the defect of the drilled petrous bone and contoured to the outer appearance of the posterolateral cranial base, is used to cover the petrosectomy area. The mesh is fixed to the cranium and to the repositioned bone flap with titanium microscrews. To date, this technique has proven to be simple and rapid and has been used in 10 patients who were operated on for various tumorous and vascular lesions of the petroclival region. Excellent cosmetic results were achieved, and no technique-related complications occurred.

The TIME technique

Sufficient bone volume is still considered the most important prerequisite for the osseointegration of dental implants. The TIME technique (autogenous bone grafting combined with stabilization using a titanium mesh) for localized alveolar ridge augmentation was evaluated in 20 patients who had insufficient bone volumes for the primary placement of dental implants. Different clinical recordings were evaluated at TIME stage 1 (augmentation surgery) and at TIME stage 2 (reentry surgery with mesh removal and simultaneous dental implant placement). In most patients, single- or extended-tooth gaps (up to four units) were augmented with autogenous bone harvested from the chin or retromolar area. With the exception of temporary disturbances of tooth sensibility, no morbidity at the donor sites was observed. In one patient, the stabilizing titanium micromesh had to be removed prematurely because of graft infection. At the reentry surgery, the bone grafts were found to be completely incorporated in 75% of the patients. In 15% of the patients, only minimal graft resorption was observed (less than 10% of the graft volume). Subsequently, 28 implants could be placed in 19 patients. The stabilizing titanium mesh was best suited for vertical ridge augmentations. Another feature of the mesh was the excellent tissue compatibility, with little clinical or histologic inflammation, even when the mesh had become exposed.