3-D Printed Scaffolds, the Building Blocks to a New Way to Repair the Eardrum

In nature, when the eardrum is perforated, it is common for the body to heal itself with time. However, in some cases, surgery or grafting is required to repair the membrane. 3-D printing tympanic membrane (TM) scaffolds is a developing field (with great potential) that aims to create a streamlined method to facilitate the repopulation of TM cells and collagen on a damaged TM. Here we analyze and evaluate the different materials, methods of printing, shapes, and resonance that bioengineering researchers tested to optimize the efficacy of the 3-D printed scaffold. Surprisingly, the scaffolds have proven to be not only more structurally consistent, but also structurally stronger. We also suggest that clinical testing on an organic specimen and more developments in synthesizing all the different techniques for these 3-D printed scaffolds would be necessary. Ultimately, the research reviewed here demonstrates that 3-D printed scaffolding is a promising treatment for those with tympanic perforations that may even overtake tympanoplasty or autologous grafting as a more accessible and consistent alternative to TM repair. In the bigger picture, scaffolding could be used for other body parts in their repairs.