首页 | 本学科首页   官方微博 | 高级检索  
检索        


The application of 3D-printed transparent facemask for facial scar management and its biomechanical rationale
Authors:Yating Wei  Yan Wang  Ming Zhang  Gang Yan  Shixue Wu  Wenjun Liu  Gang Ji  Cecilia WP Li-Tsang
Institution:1. Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China;2. Interdisciplinary Division of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China;3. Department of Burn Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
Abstract:

Introduction

Deep facial burns leave conspicuous scar to the patients and affect their quality of life. Transparent facemask has been adopted for the prevention and treatment of facial hypertrophic scars for decades. Recently, with the advancement of 3D printing, the transparent facemask could facilitate the fitting of the facial contour. However, the effectiveness of the device and its biomechanical characteristics on pressure management of hypertrophic scar would need more objective evaluation.

Method

A biomechanical model of the transparent 3D-printed facemask was established through finite element analysis. Ten patients with extensive deep facial burns within 6 months were recruited for clinical study using 3D-printed facemask designed according to biomechanical model, and the interface pressure was measured on each patient. The patients in the treatment group (n = 5) was provided with the 3D-printed transparent face mask soon after initial scar assessment, while the delayed treatment group (n = 5) began the treatment one month after the initial scar assessment. The scar assessment was performed one month post intervention for both groups.

Results

The biomechanical modeling showed that the 3D, computer-generated facemask resulted in unbalanced pressure if design modifications were not incorporated to address these issues. The interface pressure between the facemask and patient’s face was optimized through individualized design adjustments and the addition of silicone lining. After optimization of pressure through additional lining, the mean thickness and hardness of the scars of all 10 patients were decreased significantly after 1-month of intervention. In the delayed treatment group, the mean thickness of the scars was increased within the month without intervention, but it was also decreased after intervention.

Conclusion

Facemask design and the silicone lining are important to ensure adequate compression pressure of 3D-printed transparent facemask. The intervention using the 3D-printed facemask appeared to show its efficacy to control the thickness and hardness of the facial hypertrophic scars.
Keywords:3D printing  Hypertrophic scar  Facemask  Biomechanical modeling
本文献已被 ScienceDirect 等数据库收录!
设为首页 | 免责声明 | 关于勤云 | 加入收藏

Copyright©北京勤云科技发展有限公司  京ICP备09084417号