The Future of Microtia Surgery 2020

3D-PRINTING OF CARTILAGE:
A REVOLUTIONARY APPROACH TO MICROTIA SURGERY

Dr. Arturo Bonilla has exclusively been using the natural cartilage technique for over 25 years. As a leader in advanced surgical techniques in pediatric microtia surgery, Dr. Bonilla has always been at the forefront of newer technologies. This technology is finally closer than ever!

Dr. Bonilla is collaborating with a leading tissue engineering company to develop 3D-Printing of the patient’s own cartilage cells in the lab. This will revolutionize microtia cartilage surgery and will likely replace foreign plastic materials for ear reconstruction.

WHAT POSSIBILITIES WILL CARTILAGE 3D-PRINTING OFFER?

  • Replace the most common technique used in the world: rib cartilage for microtia reconstruction
  • Replace the use of foreign body material such as the polyethylene implant
  • Decrease overall surgical time
  • Decrease postoperative pain

HOW DOES CARTILAGE 3D-PRINTING WORK?

  • A small biopsy is performed on the microtia ear
  • The cartilage cells are sent to the 3D-Printing lab
  • The cartilage cells are grown into the shape of an ear via innovative 3D-printing technology
  • The newly created ear is then implanted into the patient in an outpatient procedure