Methods: Twenty orbital defects (2 x 2 cm) were created in ten adult Yorkshire pigs. Two software products (Velocity and Mimix) were evaluated with regard to image processing, three-dimensional reconstruction, and fabrication of individually shaped polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds to reconstruct these defects. Four different techniques were tested for the reconstruction: group 1 = no reconstruction, group 2 = polylactide sheet, group 3 = PCL scaffold, group 4 = bone marrow-coated PCL scaffold. The pigs were sacrificed at 3 months.
Results: In group 1 soft tissue scar formation could be found, but without any new bone. Group 2 showed a thick fibrous capsule around the PLLA sheet, whereas at the border zone of the defect signs of new bone formation could be detected. In group 3 the PCL scaffolds were filled with fibrous tissue and some areas that showed new bone formation (6.4% of the area of the defect). In group 4 the new bone formation (17.8% of the area of the defect) was significantly higher in quantity than in group 3.
Conclusion: The PCL scaffold coated with bone marrow seems to be a material that effectively provides osteoinduction with formation of new bone. Long-term results at 12 months are still pending.