Patient-Specific 3D-Printed Mold System for Superior Semicircular Canal Third-Window Repair: Design, Fabrication, and First-in-Human Feasibility

Superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD) is a pathological defect in the bony labyrinth of the inner ear that produces auditory and vestibular symptoms due to abnormal fluid mechanics. Conventional surgical methods, including canal plugging and resurfacing, often result in partial or total loss of vestibular function....

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This is a first-in-human feasibility report only; no actionable change to surgical practice is warranted until larger controlled studies confirm safety and efficacy of the 3D-printed mold system.

Patient-specific 3D-printed surgical tools could improve the precision and reproducibility of SSCD repair, a technically demanding procedure, but substantial evidence is still needed before clinical adoption.

1. 01First-in-human use of a patient-specific 3D-printed mold for superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD) repair reported.
2. 02The mold is designed to improve surgical precision in repairing the abnormal opening in the inner ear bone.
3. 03Study published in Biofabrication (2026), a biomedical engineering journal.
4. 04Feasibility only — no comparative efficacy or safety data against standard techniques provided.
5. 05Represents an early-stage intersection of 3D-printing technology and otologic surgery.

PMID

42722005

DOI

10.1088/1758-5090/aea59f.

Journal

Biofabrication

Publication type

research_article

Evidence level

4

Sample size

1

Population

First-in-human patient undergoing surgical repair of superior semicircular canal dehiscence

Intervention

Patient-specific 3D-printed mold system for superior semicircular canal third-window repair