Tissue engineering: bridging the gap between replantation and composite tissue allografts.
This article explores issues related to tissue engineering and composite tissue allografts that employ physiologic and anatomic autogenous replicates to restore tissue loss. Composite tissue allotransplantation has become a controversial option for reconstruction, most prominently for reconstruction involving the hand and, recently, the face. While the side-effect profile of systemic immunosuppression continues to improve, the long-term risks of immunosuppression leaves composite tissue allotransplantation a domain for cautious exploration. Meanwhile, tissue engineering could, conceivably, be the gap between replantation and composite tissue allografts. Whereas the perils of immunosuppression may limit the routine use of allografts, employing constructions made of the patient's own cells negates the need for any antirejection therapy.
Megee
David M
DM
Division of Plastic Surgery, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Plastic Surgery Institute, P.O. Box 19653, Springfield, IL 62794.
Berry
Nada
N
Russell
Robert C
RC
Neumeister
Michael W
MW
D006801:Humans; D012092:Replantation / Q000379:methods*; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous