Reconstructive surgery · ERAS pathways
Do multidisciplinary ERAS protocols improve flap reconstruction outcomes? A structured review of efficacy, implementation challenges, and specialty-driven adaptations
This structured review finds that ERAS pathways in flap reconstruction are generally associated with shorter hospital stays, earlier mobilization or feeding, and lower opioid exposure without clear increases in flap compromise or readmission. The authors emphasize adapting bundles to flap type, anatomy, comorbidity burden, and local monitoring capacity rather than adopting a single universal protocol.
Head & neck reconstruction · Internal lining
Head and Neck Cancer Reconstruction with Flap: A Comparative Study of Restoration of Internal Lining VS No Restoration
In a 48-patient comparative study, restoring the internal lining during flap-based head and neck cancer reconstruction was associated with fewer dehiscence, infection, flap-necrosis, and fistula events than reconstruction without lining restoration. Swallowing, speech, and overall surgical outcomes also favored the lining-restoration group, supporting attention to functional internal contouring.
Breast reconstruction · Pedicled TRAM
TRAM Flap in Breast Reconstruction: A Forgotten Technique? Case Report Series at A Breast Cancer Referral Center in Southern Mexico City
This four-case series revisits the pedicled TRAM flap as a practical option where microsurgical resources are limited or a shorter, less technically demanding operation is preferred. The technique preserves superior epigastric blood supply and transfers abdominal tissue without microvascular anastomosis, underscoring the value of context-specific flap selection.
Breast reconstruction · Donor-site closure
TPT 4.16 The Parachute and Pico: A Technique of Barbed Quilting that Enables Ergonomic, Accurate, Aesthetic and Efficient Abdominal Closure for DIEP Breast Reconstruction
The “Parachute and Pico” modification combines barbed progressive-tension quilting with negative-pressure dressing after DIEP harvest. In 31 consecutive patients compared with 31 prior controls, the approach shortened operative time and hospital stay while aiming to reduce seroma and abdominal wound complications.
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 multicenter randomized trial of 206 patients with hard-to-heal venous leg ulcers, hypothermically stored amniotic membrane plus standard care produced significantly higher closure rates at weeks 12 and 16 than standard care alone. The result supports a matrix-based adjunct for long-duration ulcers, while reinforcing the need for compression and comprehensive wound-care fundamentals.
Diabetic foot ulcers · CAMPs platform trial
Interim Analysis of the TIGERCAMP Trial Evaluating Cellular, Acellular, and Matrix-Like Products (CAMPS) in Diabetic Foot Ulcers
The TIGERCAMP platform trial evaluates cellular, acellular, and matrix-like products alongside debridement, infection control, moisture balance, and offloading. Its interim analysis of a full-thickness placental membrane allograft provides an early comparative signal for advanced products in nonhealing diabetic foot ulcers, with complete closure at 12 weeks as the primary endpoint.
Inherited wounds · B-VEC 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
A real-world case series of three patients with severe recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa found clinically meaningful wound improvement with weekly topical beremagene geperpavec. Reported target-wound reductions were approximately 50–70% in children and more than 60% closure in an adult, with no treatment-related adverse events in the series.
Burn reconstruction · Epidermal autograft + PLA substitute
Clinical and Financial Outcomes With Minimally Invasive Excision With Epidermal Autografting and Poly‐Lactic Acid Skin Substitute in Adult Mid‐Deep Dermal Burns
Among propensity-matched adults with mid-deep dermal burns, minimally invasive excision with epidermal autografting and a poly-lactic-acid skin 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 costs were higher.
Full-thickness defects · Collagen dermal substitute
Wound Healing Efficacy of Novel Dermal Substitute TissueDerm Graft® in Full-Thickness Skin Defects
In a minipig full-thickness defect model, TissueDerm Graft showed organized collagen architecture, favorable healing, and no excessive inflammatory or scar response when paired with a split-thickness skin graft. The study positions the collagen-based substitute as a potential alternative to bovine acellular dermal matrix, pending clinical validation.
Wound registry · Placental membrane allografts
Healing outcomes after placental membrane-based skin substitute allografts in multiple wound types in routine care: a retrospective case series from a prospective observational wound registry.
This routine-care registry study evaluates placental membrane-based skin-substitute allografts across multiple wound types. Its value is pragmatic: it addresses how advanced biologic coverage performs outside tightly controlled trials and may help define which wound beds and patient profiles benefit most.
Exosomes · Diabetic wound healing
Understanding exosomes in diabetic wound healing.
A narrative-scoping review of 176 preclinical and clinical studies reports that exosomes from mesenchymal stem, progenitor, blood, immune, and natural sources can improve angiogenesis, re-epithelialization, fibroblast proliferation, and matrix remodeling while reducing oxidative stress and inflammation. The review highlights biomaterial delivery systems and the need for better clinical standardization before routine translation.
Bioelectricity · 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 systems-level adjunct to PRP, platelet-rich fibrin, fat grafting, and other biologic therapies in facial rejuvenation, wound healing, and hair restoration. The concept is mechanistically plausible but remains investigational, with treatment parameters, efficacy, and long-term safety still to be defined.
Scaffolds · Cell-sheet bone regeneration
3D printed nano-hydroxyapatite scaffold combined with BMSCs cell sheet containing concentrated growth factor (CGF) for enhancing bone regeneration
A 3D-printed nano-hydroxyapatite scaffold combined with a BMSC cell sheet and concentrated growth factor was studied as a composite regenerative construct for bone repair. The work illustrates how printed architecture, living cells, and growth-factor-rich matrices are being combined to address structural defects relevant to craniofacial reconstruction.
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, both multipolar and monopolar radiofrequency protocols improved elasticity and skin-quality measures, with the multipolar approach showing stronger overall anti-aging performance in the reported comparison. The study supports RF as a nonablative strategy for dermal remodeling, while its retrospective design limits causal inference.
RF microneedling · HIFU combination
Combined Fractional Radiofrequency Microneedling and High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound with Focus Dual for Facial Skin Rejuvenation: A 37-Patient Case Series
A 37-patient case series evaluated two HIFU sessions plus six fractional RF-microneedling sessions for moderate-to-severe facial photoaging. Blinded photographic assessment showed improvement across wrinkle regions and global aesthetic scores, with the main takeaway being feasibility and apparent safety of a staged, multimodality protocol rather than proof of comparative superiority.
Body contouring · PILAR RF technique
Liposuction and Skin Tightening by Plastic Internal Low-angular Retraction Technique to Direct Skin Retraction with Monopolar Radiofrequency
The prospective cohort study introduces the plastic internal low-angular retraction technique for RF-assisted liposuction. Compared with conventional RF-assisted liposuction, PILAR used substantially less energy while maintaining similar contouring outcomes and high satisfaction, suggesting a technique-level route to greater procedural efficiency.
Breast reconstruction · SGAP/LAP flaps
Superior Gluteal and Lumbar Artery Perforator Flaps in Autologous Breast Reconstruction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
A PRISMA-based meta-analysis of 23 studies covering 475 SGAP and 440 LAP reconstructions found lower pooled total flap loss and overall complication rates for SGAP than LAP flaps. Both remain useful nonabdominal donor-site options for patients who are not candidates for abdominal harvest, including those with prior surgery or limited abdominal tissue.
Breast reconstruction · Direct neurotization
Quality of Life, Breast Sensation, and Symptoms in Unilateral Breast Reconstruction with Direct Neurotization (Tommy Transfer) DIEP Free Flap: A Case Series
In four unilateral DIEP reconstructions with direct neurotization, objective breast sensation improved gradually over follow-up, while patient-reported sensation and quality-of-life trajectories varied. The case series supports nerve coaptation as a promising sensory-restoration strategy but highlights the need for larger controlled cohorts and longer follow-up.
Breast reconstruction · DIEP safety
Peri-operative CDK4/6 inhibitors in DIEP flap breast reconstruction: Early safety data and proposed management strategy.
This first reported series examines peri-operative CDK4/6 inhibitor exposure in DIEP flap reconstruction. Among 232 unilateral DIEP cases, nine patients received abemaciclib, ribociclib, or palbociclib with a median two-week preoperative hold; the early data and proposed management approach address a growing coordination challenge between oncology and microsurgery.
Bioprinting · AI-native systems
The Next Phase of 3D Bioprinting: AI-Native Systems—A Narrative Review
A review of 365 publications argues that bioprinting is moving from AI-augmented workflows toward AI-native systems with continuous learning, multimodal sensing, and biologically closed control loops. The authors identify a striking translational gap: clinical-translation papers vastly outnumber studies validating cell-viability prediction, a foundational requirement for safe closed-loop printing.
Bioprinting · Skin regeneration
Recent advances and challenges in 3D bioprinting for skin tissue regeneration
This review links bioink properties and printing modality to the phases of wound healing, covering inkjet, extrusion, laser-assisted, and light-curing systems. It identifies chronic wounds, cosmetically critical areas, and extensive burns as clinical niches where patient-specific bioprinted constructs may offer real advantage, while noting unresolved issues in vascularization, elastin, multi-material integration, and long-term stability.
Bioprinting · Cell-laden constructs
3D Bioprinting Approaches for Dental Pulp Regeneration: A Scoping Review.
A PRISMA-scoped review of 13 preclinical studies found extrusion printing and GelMA-based bioinks were most common, often combined with collagen, hyaluronic acid, fibrin, or dentin-derived matrix. Although focused on dental pulp, the work is relevant to reconstructive biofabrication because it maps how cell-laden constructs are being engineered for vascularized, biomimetic tissue regeneration.