Perioperative pathways · Flap reconstruction
Do multidisciplinary ERAS protocols improve flap reconstruction outcomes? A structured review of efficacy, implementation challenges, and specialty-driven adaptations
A structured review across breast, head and neck, pelvic, and lower-limb flap reconstruction found ERAS pathways were most consistently associated with shorter hospital stays, earlier mobilization or feeding, and less opioid exposure. Flap compromise, readmission, and return to theatre were generally not worse, although the evidence remains limited by heterogeneous bundles and mostly observational implementation studies.
Robotic microsurgery · DIEP breast reconstruction
Comparison of Robotic-assisted and Conventional Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Flaps: A Retrospective Cohort Study
In a 68-patient cohort, robotic-assisted perforator-to-perforator anastomosis had similar complication rates and length of stay to conventional anastomosis. The robotic group required significantly less postoperative morphine-equivalent medication, supporting noninferiority while signaling the need for larger comparative studies.
Autologous reconstruction · High-risk patients
The GOLI procedure: goldilocks mastectomy with extended lateral intercostal perforator artery flap—a surgical technique for total breast reconstruction
The GOLI technique combines a Goldilocks mastectomy with an extended lateral intercostal artery perforator flap to provide single-stage autologous reconstruction without microsurgery. In two high-risk patients who were not candidates for implants or free flaps, recovery was uncomplicated with satisfactory contour and no flap loss or fat necrosis; prospective validation is still needed.
Venous leg ulcers · Randomized trial
Hypothermically stored amniotic membrane compared to standard of care for complex venous leg ulcers: a randomised controlled clinical trial.
In a 206-patient multicenter randomized trial, hypothermically stored amniotic membrane plus standard care produced higher closure rates at weeks 12 and 16 than standard care alone across wounds lasting more than 6 or 24 months. The membrane arm also achieved greater reductions in wound area, depth, and volume, supporting a clinically meaningful adjunct for hard-to-heal venous ulcers.
Diabetic foot ulcers · Platform trial
Interim Analysis of the TIGERCAMP Trial Evaluating Cellular, Acellular, and Matrix-Like Products (CAMPS) in Diabetic Foot Ulcers
The multicenter TIGERCAMP platform trial compared standard care with or without a full-thickness placental membrane allograft in nonhealing diabetic foot ulcers. Interim Bayesian estimates directionally favored the membrane-plus-standard-care arm for 12-week closure and percentage area reduction, but the analysis is exploratory and ongoing.
Genodermatoses · Topical gene therapy
Topical gene therapy for severe recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa: clinical outcomes and multidisciplinary management in three patients treated with beremagene geperpavec (B-VEC) in Italy – a case series
Three patients with severe recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa experienced clinically meaningful wound improvement with weekly topical B-VEC, including roughly 50–70% target-area reductions in two children and more than 60% closure in an adult. No treatment-related adverse events occurred, while the authors emphasize that wound hygiene, nutrition, iron support, and pain control remain essential to a comprehensive care model.
Burns · Epidermal autografting
Clinical and Financial Outcomes With Minimally Invasive Excision With Epidermal Autografting and Poly‐Lactic Acid Skin Substitute in Adult Mid‐Deep Dermal Burns
In a propensity-matched retrospective cohort of 39 pairs, minimally invasive excision with epidermal autografting and a poly-lactic acid substitute achieved at least 90% healing by day 10 in 82.1% of patients versus 45.5% with standard care. The approach also had fewer complications without prolonging hospitalization, although upfront hospital costs were higher and reimbursement was comparable.
Dermal substitutes · Preclinical skin defects
Wound Healing Efficacy of Novel Dermal Substitute TissueDerm Graft® in Full-Thickness Skin Defects
A minipig full-thickness defect model compared the collagen-based TissueDerm Graft with a bovine acellular dermal matrix, both paired with split-thickness skin grafts. TissueDerm showed uniform collagen architecture and elastin, favorable healing without excessive inflammation or scarring, and better visual outcomes than grafting alone or grafting with Matriderm.
Acellular dermal matrix · Long-term surveillance
Long-term Outcomes of Acellular Dermal Matrix Use in Breast-Conserving Surgery: A Single-Institution Study
Among 236 patients followed for a median 71.7 months after breast-conserving surgery with ADM, complications occurred in 50.4%, including a 9.3% major-complication rate and 11.9% ADM removal. Infection drove most major complications and late non-recurrent removals, underscoring the importance of patient selection and durable surveillance.
Exosomes · Diabetic wound healing
Understanding exosomes in diabetic wound healing.
A review of 176 preclinical and clinical studies found exosomes from mesenchymal stem cells, blood products, immune cells, and other sources consistently improved angiogenesis, re-epithelialization, fibroblast activity, and matrix remodeling in diabetic wound models. Scaffolds, microneedle patches, and hydrogels improved retention and stability, but standardization, scalability, and clinical validation remain unresolved.
Bioelectric modulation · Facial plastic surgery
Bioelectric Modulation as a Systems-Level Adjunct to Regenerative Therapies in Facial Plastic Surgery and Hair Restoration.
This review frames bioelectric modulation as a potential upstream regulator of perfusion, extracellular-matrix remodeling, and stem-cell niche stability alongside PRF, PRP, fat grafting, and other biologics. The concept is mechanistically plausible for facial rejuvenation, wound healing, and hair restoration, but clinical efficacy, treatment parameters, and long-term safety still require study.
Tissue engineering · Craniofacial bone
3D printed nano-hydroxyapatite scaffold combined with BMSCs cell sheet containing concentrated growth factor (CGF) for enhancing bone regeneration
In a rat cranial-defect model, a porous 3D-printed nano-hydroxyapatite scaffold wrapped with a concentrated-growth-factor BMSC cell sheet showed higher osteogenic activity and superior bone formation and osseointegration than either component alone. The composite strategy illustrates how printed architecture and cell-secreted factors can be combined for craniofacial regeneration, while remaining preclinical.
Energy-based rejuvenation · Combination protocol
Combined Fractional Radiofrequency Microneedling and High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound with Focus Dual for Facial Skin Rejuvenation: A 37-Patient Case Series
In a 37-patient observational series, combined HIFU and fractional RF microneedling produced a 12.1% median global wrinkle-score improvement over six months, with the largest gains in lax cheeks, periorbital lines, nasolabial folds, and neck. Blinded-assessor reliability was high and no serious adverse events were reported, but the uncontrolled design limits causal inference.
Radiofrequency · Skin laxity
Radiofrequency technology as an anti-aging intervention: clinical efficacy in reversing senescence-driven skin laxity and age-related dermal degeneration
In 84 aging patients, five sessions of multipolar RF improved elasticity biomarkers more than monopolar RF at three months, including R2, R5, and R7 improvement rates of about 29–33% versus 19–22%. Both modalities improved laxity and texture, while the retrospective design and treatment allocation limit generalizability.
Challenging skin types · Dual-mode RF
Dual-mode Sequential Radiofrequency in Challenging Skin Types: Case Reports in Atopic-prone and Previously Treated Patients
Two case reports describe single-session dual-mode monopolar–bipolar RF with cooling in an atopic-prone patient and a patient with prior energy and injectable treatments. Both reported tightening, texture and fine-line improvement, and no flare or complication; the small uncontrolled sample means the signal is hypothesis-generating rather than efficacy evidence.
Perforator flaps · Alternative donor sites
Superior Gluteal and Lumbar Artery Perforator Flaps in Autologous Breast Reconstruction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
A PRISMA review of 23 studies covering 475 SGAP and 440 LAP reconstructions found lower pooled flap loss and overall complications for SGAP than LAP, while LAP nearly always required a vessel graft. Both are viable nonabdominal options, but donor-site morbidity and technical demands favor anatomy- and expertise-based selection.
Neurotization · Patient-reported outcomes
Quality of Life, Breast Sensation, and Symptoms in Unilateral Breast Reconstruction with Direct Neurotization (Tommy Transfer) DIEP Free Flap: A Case Series
Four unilateral DIEP reconstructions with direct neurotization showed gradual objective sensory recovery over 6–12 months. Objective improvement did not consistently translate into better symptoms or quality-of-life scores, highlighting the need to pair sensory testing with patient-reported measures when evaluating functional recovery.
Oncology coordination · DIEP reconstruction
Peri-operative CDK4/6 inhibitors in DIEP flap breast reconstruction: Early safety data and proposed management strategy.
In a 232-patient unilateral DIEP series, nine patients exposed to perioperative CDK4/6 inhibitors had no major complications and no minor complications, compared with 2.2% and 11% respectively in non-exposed patients; differences were not statistically significant. The authors support close oncology coordination and temporary treatment interruption, while stressing the need for multicenter validation.
3D bioprinting · Dental pulp regeneration
3D Bioprinting Approaches for Dental Pulp Regeneration: A Scoping Review.
A scoping review of 13 preclinical studies found extrusion printing and GelMA-based bioinks were most common, often paired with dental pulp stem cells and endothelial coculture. Constructs show early promise for viability and odontogenic differentiation, but heterogeneous bioinks, models, and sparse angiogenic or neurogenic outcomes currently constrain translation.
Artificial intelligence · Bioprinting systems
The Next Phase of 3D Bioprinting: AI-Native Systems—A Narrative Review
This narrative review argues that bioprinting is moving from AI-augmented tools toward AI-native systems with multimodal sensing, continuous learning, and biologically closed control loops. Its analysis of 365 publications found rapid growth but an imbalance between clinical-translation papers and the small number focused on cell-viability prediction, pointing to datasets and validation as key bottlenecks.
Skin tissue engineering · Translational roadmap
Recent advances and challenges in 3D bioprinting for skin tissue regeneration
A review of 3D bioprinting for skin regeneration links bioink and printing choices to wound-healing phases and identifies chronic wounds, cosmetically critical areas, major burns, and drug testing as promising niches. Vascularization, appendage regeneration, GMP manufacturing, regulatory pathways, and cost-effectiveness remain major barriers before clinical adoption.