title: Tissue engineered biological augmentation for tendon healing: a systematic review.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, Campus Biomedico University, Trigoria, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Umile Giuseppe
authors.initials: UG
authors.lastname: Longo
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lamberti
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Maffulli
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Denaro
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins