title: Tissue Engineered Prevascularized Bone and Soft Tissue Flaps.
abstract: The complex shapes of skeletal components of the craniofacial region combined with the prominence of the face and paucity of overlying soft tissue create significant challenges for the reconstructive surgeon. The in vivo bioreactor strategy is a promising alternative to microvascular surgical techniques that combines tissue engineering principles with microvascular reconstructive techniques to create patient-specific, prevascularized bone flaps for reconstruction of complex maxillofacial defects. This article discusses the use of traditional vascularized bone flaps; preclinical studies using the in vivo bioreactor approach; case reports that have attempted this novel technique; and future challenges and considerations in the development of patient-specific, prevascularized bone flaps for maxillofacial reconstruction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, The University of Texas School of Dentistry, 7500 Cambridge Street, Suite 5130, Houston, TX 77054, USA.
authors.forename: F Kurtis
authors.initials: FK
authors.lastname: Kasper
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The University of Texas School of Dentistry, 7500 Cambridge Street, Suite 6510, Houston, TX 77054, USA.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Melville
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The University of Texas School of Dentistry, 7500 Cambridge Street, Suite 6510, Houston, TX 77054, USA.
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shum
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The University of Texas School of Dentistry, 7500 Cambridge Street, Suite 6510, Houston, TX 77054, USA. Electronic address: Mark.E.Wong@uth.tmc.edu.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The University of Texas School of Dentistry, 7500 Cambridge Street, Suite 6510, Houston, TX 77054, USA.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Young
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019149:Bioreactors; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D005145:Face / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods*; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D057285:Precision Medicine; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*; D023822:Tissue Engineering
keywords: Bioreactors; Growth factors; Maxillofacial reconstruction; Microvascular surgery; Personalized medicine; Tissue engineering