[Tissue-engineered cartilage in a prefabricated microvascularized flap].

Area of Science:

• Regenerative Medicine
• Vascular Surgery
• Biomaterials

Background:

• Tissue-engineered cartilage integration in prefabricated free flaps offers potential for complex reconstructive surgery.
• This study aimed to establish a microvascular free flap prefabrication technique using a rabbit model.
• The research also evaluated prelaminating flaps with autologous tissue-engineered cartilage, assessing matrix development, inflammation, and host interaction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a microvascular free flap prefabrication technique in a rabbit model.
• To evaluate the integration of autologous tissue-engineered cartilage within prefabricated flaps.
• To assess matrix development, inflammatory response, and host tissue interaction of the engineered cartilage.

Main Methods:

• Microvascular flaps were created by implanting a vessel loop under abdominal skin flaps in rabbits.
• Tissue-engineered cartilage constructs were developed from auricular chondrocytes seeded onto a hyaluronic acid derivative scaffold.
• Constructs were implanted beneath prefabricated flaps or subcutaneously/intermuscularly, with cell-free scaffolds as controls, for 6 or 12 weeks.

Main Results:

• Prefabricated flaps exhibited robust neovascularization, integrating the vessel loop with the flap's native blood supply.
• Tissue-engineered cartilage constructs maintained size and demonstrated characteristics of hyaline cartilage, including collagen type II and proteoglycan expression.
• No inflammatory reactions were observed in any of the implanted specimens.

Conclusions:

• Prefabricated flaps hold significant potential for creating custom-designed flaps in reconstructive surgery, adaptable to various anatomical challenges.
• Tissue engineering of cartilage offers a method for generating 3D structures with reduced donor-site morbidity.
• This combined approach shows promise for advanced reconstructive procedures.