TISSUE ENGINEERING IN HEAD AND NECK SURGERY

DOI 22 References
  • UEDA Minoru
    The Stem Cell Engineering, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine and

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  • 頭頚部領域の再生医療

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Abstract

Tissue engineering is a relatively new approach for regenerative medicine. According to the concept, the human body can be regenerated by using stem cells, scaffold and growth factors. Among several medical fields, head and neck surgery is one of the most advantageous and pioneering in tissue engineering. Since 1985, we have developed many kinds of tissues and organs using cultured living cells. Ttis paper discusses skin, nerve and bone regeneration usingthe tissue engineering concept, because these tissues can be fully used for head and neck reconstruction.<br>The first topic is skin regeneration.<br>We have developed two types of cultured skin. The first one is cultured epidermis and the second type for skin engineering is cultured full thickness skin which is composed of a artificial dermis and epithelial layer. The artificial dermis was fabricated with fibroblasts and collagen gel.<br>The second topic is nerve regeneration. We have developed a novel artificial nerve tube, which is made of a collagen mesh filled with collagen fibers.<br>This nerve tube was applied for clinical cases who had been treated by radical neck dissection due to mandibular cancer. The resected accessory nerve was interpositioned by the collagen tube just after resection. One month later, the patient's shoulder movement recovered very well.<br>The last topic is bone engineering. Resently we have developed injectable bone using culture-expanded marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP). The injectable bone has good potential for a cell delivery system for bone regeneration with the advantages of minimum invasiveness and fitness in the defect. If one could transplant the cells by means of injection by syringe, one could augment all the bone defects with autogenous tissue without extensive surgery.<br>The three types of cultured tissues using tissue engineering concepts, such as skin, nerve and bone, are discussed. From our experimental and clinical studies, tissue engineering products are very useful and have a huge possibility in the field of head and neck surgery.

Journal

  • Toukeibu Gan

    Toukeibu Gan 30 (3), 450-460, 2004

    Japan Society for Head and Neck Cancer

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