The Future Application of Nanomedicine and Biomimicry in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Abstract

Plastic surgery encompasses a broad spectrum of reconstructive challenges and prides itself upon developing and adopting new innovations. Practice has transitioned from microsurgery to supermicrosurgery with a possible future role in even smaller surgical frontiers. Exploiting materials on a nanoscale has enabled better visualization and enhancement of biological processes toward better wound healing, tumor identification and viability of tissues, all cornerstones of plastic surgery practice. Recent advances in nanomedicine and biomimicry herald further reconstructive progress facilitating soft and hard tissue, nerve and vascular engineering. These lay the foundation for improved biocompatibility and tissue integration by the optimization of engineered implants or tissues. This review will broadly examine each of these technologies, highlighting areas of progress that reconstructive surgeons may not be familiar with, which could see adoption into our armamentarium in the not-so-distant future.

Biomimicry in nanotechnology: a comprehensive review

“…Vascularized composite tissue allotransplantation(VCA) was the first reconstructive milestone, but it had inevitable probabilities like transplant rejection. Tissue engineering then became the best alternative solution since this process does not have those limitations 41 . Research of the self-assembling biomaterials that mimic complex biological structures has also been going on for a long time.…”

“…Reconstruction of tissues Vascularized composite tissue allotransplantation (VCA) 41 Recovering tissues lost due to injury 41…”

Self-Searching Writing of Human-Organ-Scale Three-Dimensional Topographic Scaffolds with Shape Memory by Silkworm-like Electrospun Autopilot Jet

“…Construction of three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds is important for various applications from nano- to macroscale; − notable examples include functional DNA origami, artificial human organs, 3D-printed houses, and so on . Among these, biomedical applications have attracted intensive attention in recent decades, as genetics and exogenous factors, such as aging, diseases, and injury affecting the human body, highly demand clinical repairs to restore the functions and morphologies of the damaged tissues or organs. − An ideal engineered construct should resemble the native extracellular matrix (ECM), which is an intricate 3D network composed of collagen fibrils and other biomolecules that mainly provide physical and mechanical strength to the tissue and is responsible for diverse biological functions. − Currently, molten extrusion-based 3D printing is the only available technique to produce 3D structures with high fidelity and reproducibility for biomedical applications. ,− In 3D bioprinting, cell and biomaterials are laid in the hydrogel (bioink) form along with the molten synthetic polymer, for example, the FDA-approved poly­(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), primarily used for its exceptional mechanical properties and moderate biodegradability. , These approaches may have constructed scaffolds of shapes mimicking in part or the organ size; however, they become solid as they cure to yield mechanically inflexible and nonstretchable structures that poorly match the physiological conditions of the human body. , The computer-controlled motion produced microarchitectures mostly limited to tessellated grid-like patterns and failed to facilitate 3D cell network formation and vascularization as in native tissues, a necessary feature to carry out the essential biophysical and biochemical functions. ,− Besides, the so-made scaffolds impose high shear stress on cells while occupying a larger area and mass but accommodate lesser cell density, and their poor biodegradability (small surface to volume ratio) affects the tissue regeneration and ECM remodeling within these scaffolds. ,, …”

Biomimicry of Blue Morpho butterfly wings: An introduction to nanotechnology through an interdisciplinary science education module

“…1 Utilizing biomimetic properties in conjunction with nanotechnology has shown promise in medicine applications, specifically in terms of cancer detection, plastics for reconstructive surgery, and long-term biocompatibility for medical implants. 2,3 The combination of nanotechnology and biomimicry provides an opportunity to create learning modules that are engaging and introduce real-world applications to students. In addition, these modules can be designed with access to remotely accessible nanotechnology instruments, such as a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to provide students a unique experience imaging nano-based material over the internet.…”