Advances in 3D Printing for the Repair of Tympanic Membrane Perforation: A Comprehensive Review

This review explores the advancements in 3D printing for repairing tympanic membrane (TM) perforations, emphasizing the potential of biomimetic TM grafts and the development of bioinks. It highlights the advantages of 3D-printed grafts over traditional materials, such as improved healing rates and biocompatibility, while discussing challenges like high costs and the need for extensive training. The review covers various 3D printing methods and materials, including collagen-based scaffolds and MSC-laden alginate bioinks, which show promise in enhancing TM regeneration. Despite promising in vitro results, further in vivo experiments and clinical trials are needed to validate efficacy and ensure safety. The review underscores the need for interdisciplinary collaboration to optimize bioink formulations and scaffold designs, ultimately improving clinical outcomes in TM repair.