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Published on: October 31, 2012
Regenerative strategies for craniofacial disorders.
Catharine B Garland1, Jason H Pomerantz
1Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of California San Francisco San Francisco, CA, USA ; Craniofacial and Mesenchymal Biology Program, University of California San Francisco San Francisco, CA, USA.
Frontiers in Physiology
|December 19, 2012
Summary
Regenerative medicine offers new craniofacial reconstruction strategies for complex disorders. Key needs include improving treatments for craniofacial muscle, skin, and nerve regeneration.
Area of Science:
- Regenerative medicine
- Craniofacial reconstruction
- Tissue engineering
Background:
- Craniofacial disorders involve complex interactions of multiple tissues, posing significant reconstructive challenges.
- Existing treatments using autologous tissue or prosthetics are effective for some craniofacial tissues.
- Significant unmet needs persist in regenerating specific craniofacial components.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current unmet needs in craniofacial reconstruction.
- To highlight differences between craniofacial tissues and their analogs elsewhere.
- To propose regenerative strategies for craniofacial bone, fat, muscle, nerve, and skin.
Main Methods:
- Problem-based approach to illustrate current treatment strategies.
- Emphasis on identifying areas of unmet need.
- Discussion of regenerative potential for various craniofacial tissues.
Main Results:
- Current methods provide excellent solutions for some tissues (e.g., bone).
- Regenerative approaches must offer substantial advantages over existing techniques.
- Greatest unmet needs identified for craniofacial muscle, skin, and nerve regeneration.
Conclusions:
- Regenerative medicine holds promise for advancing craniofacial reconstruction.
- Composite facial tissue transplantation and regenerative medicine represent new treatment paradigms.
- Targeted regenerative strategies are crucial for addressing critical unmet needs in craniofacial disorders.
