Tissue Engineering of a Human Sized And Shaped Auricle Using a Mold

Abstract

A tissue-engineered human sized auricle of normal anatomic definition can be generated in an immunocompetent large-animal model using a mold technique. Although further refinements will be necessary, the technique appears promising for potential use in patients with microtia.

Polímeros bioreabsorvíveis na engenharia de tecidos

“…Em pesquisas com tecidos cartilaginosos os polímeros bioreabsorvíveis são amplamente utilizados [58] . Liderados mundialmente pelo grupo de pesquisa do cirurgião Joseph P. Vacanti, o anestesiologista Charles Vacanti, ambos da Universidade de Harvard, e pelo engenheiro químico Robert Langer do MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), a literatura tem descrito vários estudos de reconstrução de complexas estruturas anatômicas.…”

“…Liderados mundialmente pelo grupo de pesquisa do cirurgião Joseph P. Vacanti, o anestesiologista Charles Vacanti, ambos da Universidade de Harvard, e pelo engenheiro químico Robert Langer do MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), a literatura tem descrito vários estudos de reconstrução de complexas estruturas anatômicas. Usando suportes de PGA e PLA é relatado reconstruções cartilaginosas na forma de uma orelha humana [58,59] , do septo nasal [60] e traquéia [61] . Preparados pelo processo de fiber bonding o suporte é inoculado com condrócitos e inserido em bioreatores.…”

Long-Term Morphological and Microarchitectural Stability of Tissue-Engineered, Patient-Specific AuriclesIn Vivo

“…Several synthetic scaffolds, such as polyglycolic acid, 3,5,6,[9][10][11] polylactic acid, 12 polycaprolactone, 3,12 or copolymer combinations, have been applied with varying success. However, the degradation of these polymers has been reported to cause inflammatory reactions.…”

“…Few groups have worked with methods that can apply patient-specific morphologies to engineered ear constructs, 19,20 resulting in generic ears that must be surgically manipulated to reproduce particular aesthetics. Additionally, the maintenance of ear morphology following implantation often requires mechanical assistance, either through external stenting over the skin 14 or internal plastic 21 or metal 10,[22][23][24] support that is included with the implant. Our group has previously applied digital photogrammetry and computer-assisted design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) techniques to fabricate molds replicating juvenile patient ears, a novel technique to recreate specific ear morphology.…”

“…25 Although our previous study demonstrated the potential of utilizing photogrammetric and CAD/CAM methods to produce patient-specific molds and constructs, the long-term stability (greater than 3 months) of the developing tissue in vivo has not been verified. In general, few studies utilizing complete human ear geometries have exceeded this time point, 3,6,10,12,23,26 and none of these featured a collagen scaffold. Additionally, the biochemical composition of these constructs must be characterized.…”