Challenges and future prospects for tissue engineering in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery

With advances in material engineering there is now a wide array of new materials for augmentation of tissue repairs in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (FPMRS). However, clinical outcomes are discrepant and long term complications debilitating. In this manuscript, we describe the molecular and cellular host environments and biomechanical considerations that affect optimal integration of implant materials. There is growing interest in biodegradable scaffolds with cellular implants. It is thought that the cellular component could regenerate host tissue while the scaffold provides temporary mechanical properties. Current findings are promising, but detailed in vivo and long term testing is needed before clinical applications.