AUTHOR=Feinberg Stephen E. , Marcelo Cynthia L. 

TITLE=Reconstruction of functional human lips utilizing a prelaminated flap

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology

VOLUME=12

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/bioengineering-and-biotechnology/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2024.1364705

DOI=10.3389/fbioe.2024.1364705

ISSN=2296-4185

ABSTRACT=<p>Lips form a structure that are difficult to reconstruct after a traumatic avulsion injury or cancer ablative surgery secondary to loss of volumetric muscle mass. Traditional tissue engineering approaches of <italic>in vitro</italic> fabrication of mature tissue constructs can supply an alternative to the current surgical standard of care for functional lip reconstruction. We demonstrate a hybrid approach that combines the advantages of <italic>in situ</italic> muscle flap prefabrication with <italic>in vitro</italic> fabrication of an autogenous mucocutaneous construct as the laminate for prelamination to form a designer microvascular muscle free flap for lip reconstruction.</p>