203 Developing and Fine-Tuning Novel 3D-Printed Biodegradable Scaffolds to Promote Auricular Cartilaginous Regeneration for Surgical Implantation

Abstract Introduction Microtia, a congenital cartilaginous defect, poses major challenges in cosmetic surgery. Biodegradable polymers promote chondrogenesis, with promises of seeding cells into synthetic-polymer-implants for surgical fixation. However, existing used auricular reconstruction present limitations including inflammation, fibrosis, and extrusion. This study aimed to modulate the mechanical properties novel polylactic-acid/polyhydroxyalkanoate (PLA/PHA) blend by 3D-printing hence, evaluate its suitability microenvironment developing next-generation reconstructs. Method Digitally defined PLA/PHA scaffolds were free-form 3D-printed at various infill densities thicknesses. Through tensile testing, moduli, yield point, maximum strength, toughness, stiffness calculated, alongside Finite Element Analysis (FEA) contact angle tests. Finally, preliminary cell was conducted. Results Increasing from 30%-60% significantly increased point strength (P < 0.01). Tensile scaffold thicknesses between 1mm-2mm 0.05). Cell studies showed promising proliferative activity. Conclusions The structural can be tailored altering density thickness, respectively. digitally interconnected pores within printed reduce mismatches surgical-synthetic cartilage, potentially promoting migration nutrition transportation future