Novel scaffold to support and guide bone regrowth

Dedication to alleviating suffering of oral cancer patients has led Dr Victor Fan to an arduous search for the ideal scaffold that forms a matrix congenial to the regrowth of bones, a process crucial in reconstructive surgery for patients with facial deformity after cancer surgery or facial injuries.


Dr Fan, Assistant Professor with the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery obtained his medical degree and higher surgical training in oral and maxillofacial surgery in the UK after his initial Dentistry training in NUS. After 14 years abroad, Dr Fan joined the NUS Faculty of Dentistry in 2004 and is the only British-accreditated oral and maxillofacial surgeon in Singapore.

In his research and development of the ideal material for his bioscaffold, Dr Fan collaborated with Dr Cao Tong, Assistant Professor, Department of Dentistry who leads a stem cell research team in NUS. They have decided to use a polymer which is able to biodegrade in the body within six months leaving no toxic side effects and yet retaining the necessary strength and shape to allow bone regeneration in the crucial first few months of implantation.

Existing implants and reconstructive materials have been made from titanium and other materials containing hydroxyapatite (a calcium and phosphate composite) which may remain in the body for a lifetime. These materials may cause infection as well as inflammation, said Dr Cao. Bone grafting (transplanting bone from another part of the body eg leg or hip bone) is also used in facial reconstruction but has disadvantages in added complications, longer hospital stay, intensive care and complicated microsurgery which are expensive. With a resorbable bioscaffold, these will not be necessary.

"For a scaffold to be clinically applicable, the manufacturing process has to be novel enough to be able to vary the pore size to promote bony ingrowth and yet retain the necessary configuration and shape and strength for clinical use," added Dr Fan.

In 2005, the two teamed up with the industry working with Rapid Tech to further develop the design and the manufacturing process of the bioscaffold. So far, they have managed to make bioscaffolds of different shapes to fit patients' needs. Their project In-Vitro, In Vivo and Clinical trial of Bioscaffold for Bone Reconstruction and Implants won The Enterprise Challenge (TEC) 2005's Enterprising Agency Award and Innovator Award presented by the Prime Minister's Office. The Award will provide funding for the team to translate their research and technology into clinical trials paving the way for more successful implant and reconstruction surgery.

"Eventually with further development in tissue regeneration, not only bone growth can be achieved as other tissues like cartilage and skin tissues can also be directed to grow into these bioscaffolds. There will be broad applications in facial plastic surgery, maxillofacial trauma and reconstructive surgery as well. These bioscaffolds can also be used for preserving or augmenting bone for dental implants in patients who need their teeth removed," said Dr Fan.