Tissue engineered biological augmentation for tendon healing: a systematic review.
BACKGROUND
Tendon injuries give rise to significant morbidity. In the last few decades, several techniques have been increasingly used to optimize tendon healing.


METHODS
We performed a comprehensive search of PubMed, Medline, Cochrane, CINAHL and Embase databases using various combinations of the commercial names of each scaffold and the keywords 'tendon', 'rotator cuff', 'supraspinatus tendon', 'Achilles tendon', 'growth factors', 'cytokines', 'gene therapy', 'tissue engineering', 'mesenchymal' and 'stem cells' over the years 1966-2009. All articles relevant to the subject were retrieved, and their bibliographies were hand searched for further references in the context to tissue-engineered biological augmentation for tendon healing.


RESULTS
Several new techniques are available for tissue-engineered biological augmentation for tendon healing, growth factors, gene therapy and mesenchimal stem cells.


RESULTS
Data are lacking to allow definitive conclusions on the use of these techniques for routine management of tendon ailments.


CONCLUSIONS
The emerging field of tissue engineering holds the promise to use new techniques for tendon augmentation and repair. Preliminary studies support the idea that these techniques can provide an alternative for tendon augmentation with great therapeutic potential.


CONCLUSIONS
The optimization strategies discussed in this article are currently at an early stage of development. Although these emerging technologies may develop into substantial clinical treatment options, their full impact needs to be critically evaluated in a scientific fashion.
Longo
Umile Giuseppe
UG
Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, Campus Biomedico University, Trigoria, Rome, Italy.
Lamberti
Alfredo
A
Maffulli
Nicola
N
Denaro
Vincenzo
V
D000818:Animals; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D045164:Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000628:therapy*; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D014945:Wound Healing
D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins