Tissue engineering of biomaterials for composite reconstruction: an experimental model

The fibrovascular integration of a biomaterial scaffold was examined in a rabbit model. Eight disks of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene measuring 2 x 2 x 0.2 cm were placed adjacent to dissected vascular pedicles in the ears of four rabbits and sealed between leaves of silicone sheeting. Fibrovascular outgrowth from the vascular pedicles completely integrated the biomaterial scaffolds by 6 weeks and was sufficient to sustain split-thickness skin grafts. Division of the distal vascular pedicle allowed isolation of the blood flow circuit to the construct. Successful microsurgical transfer was achieved in one construct. This model has proved useful in the study of tissue engineering of biomaterials for reconstruction and may well have use in the study of neovascularization as an isolated event.