title: Tissue engineering of the tympanic membrane.
abstract: Tympanic membrane (TM) perforations are common, with current treatments for chronic perforations involving surgery, using various graft materials, from autologous cartilage or fascia through to paper patch. Recent research developments in this field have begun applying the principles of tissue engineering, with appropriate scaffolds, cells, and bioactive molecules (BMs). This has revolutionized the therapeutic approach due to the availability of a wide range of materials with appropriate compatibility and mechanical properties to regenerate the membrane acoustics and may also represent a paradigm shift in the management of TM perforations in an outpatient setting without surgery. However, many factors need to be considered in the fabrication of a bioengineered TM. This review discusses the issues associated with current treatment and examines TM wound healing relevant to the construction of a bioengineered TM. It also describes the tissue-engineering approach to TM regeneration by summarizing currently used scaffolds, BMs, and cells in TM wound healing. Finally, it considers the design of scaffolds, delivery of BMs, and cell engraftment toward potential clinical application.
authors.affiliation: Ear Sciences Centre, School of Surgery, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Australia. bing.teh@earscience.org.au
authors.forename: Bing Mei
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Teh
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Marano
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Peter L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Friedland
authors.forename: Rodney J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Dilley
authors.forename: Marcus D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Atlas
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D023822:Tissue Engineering; D057170:Translational Research, Biomedical; D014432:Tympanic Membrane / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D014945:Wound Healing