Current application of tissue engineering in otolaryngology

Tissue engineering is an interdisciplinary cooperation between clinicians, cell biologists, and materials research scientists with the aim of development of biological substitutes that restore, maintain, or improve tissue function or a whole organ. In the field of ear, nose, throat medicine (ENT medicine) and plastic surgery, tissue engineering hold great promise over the past few years. Clinical studies reporting regenerative medicine applications in the field of otolaryngology are presented to opens up new ways for patients in the future. Cartilage reconstruction is a major concern for the ENT and facial plastic surgeon. Bone replacement after tumor resections, traumas is also required in the facial or cranial region. Recent advancements in the regeneration of auditory hair cells, including genetic, stem cell and molecular therapies opened up several promising avenues to treat hearing loss. Tissue engineering has great potential to develope commercially available biomaterials for treating tympanic membrane perforation to overcome the limitations of traditional surgical procedures. Facial nerve and laryngeal recurrent nerve are the most common iatrogenic peripheral nerve palsy in ENT and an artificial nerve conduit showed great potential for prevention of misdirection. Taken together, as otolaryngology covers wide regions, including ear, nose, oral cavity, pharynx, larynx and head and neck, it appears that tissue engineering is rapidly growing in this medical field and basic research extend to clinical application

Keywords:

Tissue engineering , Application , Otolaryngology