Evolution of prosthetic materials and additive manufacturing of next generational ribcage prothesis

• 3D printing of dynamic ribcages. • Mutimaterials for printing dynamic ribcages. • Using computational materials engineering to develop materials for dynamic ribcages. • Conceptualization of printing dynamic ribcages. Chest wall reconstruction can expose major mediastinal structures which can upset the normal function of the respiratory mechanics. The method of intraoperative approximation using titanium bars, synthetic meshes, and polymers/adhesives does not give anatomical replication of the original tissue excised leading to poor reconstruction cosmetic results for the patient. 3D printed customised and spring response ribcages provide a better flexing and distending of the thoracic unit. However, the absence of analogous natural rib cartilage in the 3D-printed implants limits the efficiency of the customised ribcages. These limitations lead to the concept of additive manufacturing (AM) of dynamic ribcages. These are ribcages printed with analogous cartilage functionality and the capability to change dimensionally. Such an implant is required to synchronise with the physiological changes in a young patient to avoid frequent revision and its associated challenges as the patient matures. The driving force behind the 3D printing of dynamic ribcage is the capability of AM to print customised structures with 4D capabilities.