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Potential Applications of Tissue Engineering in Hand Surgery

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Biomaterials in Hand Surgery

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Abstract

Tissue engineering is a relatively new discipline aiming at the regeneration of tissues and organs that have been damaged by either traumatic events or diseases. From a technological viewpoint, tissue regeneration is pursued by implantation of the so-called tissue engineering constructs. A tissue engineering construct is based on 3D biomaterials that are able to host and deliver cell types relevant to the regeneration of the target tissue. Ideally, biomaterials should also be able to control the behavior of cells, directing their ability to synthesize and deposit new tissue components. This property should either be intrinsically built into the biomaterial 3D scaffold or achieved through integration of bioactive molecules such as growth factors and drugs. Also, in some clinical scenarios, the possibility of delivering the tissue engineering construct as an injectable formulation should be considered, to facilitate minimally invasive surgery. In this chapter, the main biomaterials and engineering methods for obtaining 3D scaffolds will be presented, together with an overview of the most recommended cell types, the stem cells. A review of specific factors and bioactive molecules that can be included to improve the tissue regeneration potential of the tissue engineering construct is also provided. Finally, the potential of tissue engineering to treat tissues relevant to hand surgery is presented, and the clinical applicability is critically assessed.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton, UK

    M. Santin

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  1. M. Santin
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Orthopaedics and Hand Surgery, The Catholic University School of Medicine, Rome, Italy

    Antonio Merolli

  2. School of Mechanical and Systems Engineering, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

    Thomas J. Joyce

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© 2009 Springer-Verlag Italia

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Santin, M. (2009). Potential Applications of Tissue Engineering in Hand Surgery. In: Merolli, A., Joyce, T.J. (eds) Biomaterials in Hand Surgery. Springer, Milano. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-1195-3_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-1195-3_2

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Milano

  • Print ISBN: 978-88-470-1194-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-88-470-1195-3

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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