Translational Challenges in Soft Tissue Regeneration

Abstract

This is a comprehensive overview of the epidemiology of each type of soft tissue defects and the current successful applications of regenerative medicine and methods of advancing the regeneration of these tissues. The authors discuss the epidemiology of soft tissue defects, successful application of regenerative treatments, challenges associated with regeneration, surgical techniques, scaffold-based treatments, drug-based therapy, cell-based therapy, and other treatments. There are unsolved questions discussed, such as vascularization in the process of regeneration, functional tissue regeneration, immune system problems, and problems with biomaterials, regulations and ethics. An outlook is given on necessary future developments for successful translation of advanced concepts of regenerative medicine to day-to-day routine in plastic surgery.