Ricerc@Sapienza

The manufacturing of artificial bone grafts can potentially circumvent the issues associated with current bone grafting treatments for critical-size bone defects caused by pathological disorders, trauma, or massive tumor ablation. In this study, we report on a potentially patient-specific fabrication process in which replicas of bone defects, in particular zygomatic and mandibular bones and phalanxes of a hand finger, were manufactured by laser stereolithography an used as templates for the creation of PDMS molds.

Traumatic amputation of a digital segment with bone loss leaves a patient in severe disability. The degree of disfigurement and
function loss of the hand can be severe and permanent. In general, single-digit replantation is recommended only in selected
circumstances. Reconstructive procedures are restricted by limited shape and have the disadvantage of severe donor site
morbidity. To overcome these limitations, we have developed a tissue engineering approach to create the missing bone phalanx,