TISSUE ENGINEERING IN PLASTIC SURGERY - WHAT HAS BEEN DONE

The field of tissue engineering applies principles of engineering and life sciences for the development of functional biologic substitutes. The increasing need of tissue for challenging reconstructive surgeries places plastic surgeons involvement as vital in the research and development of engineered constructs and subsequent use. This narrative review aims to summarize tissue engineering principles, to update on its current uses and breakthroughs, to approach its current limitations and possible future directions for this exciting new field of medicine. This revision addressed tissue engineering utilisation in skin lesions, craniocervical defects, musculoskeletal defects, peripheral nerves lesions, vascular tissue defects and adipose tissue uses. Research in tissue engineering is increasing exponentially, however, and although there are already several engineered constructs available, its widespread clinical application is still a hope. More long-term studies that answer outstanding issues are needed in order for that to become reality.