Restoring Form and Function: Clinical Frontiers in Regenerative Applications

Dear Colleagues,

Regenerative medicine is rapidly advancing as one of the most innovative and dynamic fields in modern healthcare. In particular, plastic and reconstructive surgery stands at the forefront of this evolution, offering new possibilities for restoring both the form and function of damaged or lost tissues. The intersection of regenerative technologies with surgical techniques offers transformative potential for patients suffering from congenital anomalies, traumatic injuries, burns, and degenerative diseases, where traditional therapies have been limited.

This Special Issue, "Restoring Form and Function: Clinical Frontiers in Regenerative Applications", brings together the latest advances in regenerative medicine with a specific focus on their applications in plastic and reconstructive surgery. It highlights how cutting-edge technologies—such as stem cell therapies, tissue engineering, advanced biomaterials, and gene editing—are reshaping the landscape of surgical intervention. These innovations have the potential to enhance tissue regeneration, optimize wound healing, and improve functional outcomes, ultimately leading to better esthetic and functional recovery for patients.

Plastic and reconstructive surgery has long been at the intersection of form and function. Surgeons have historically relied on autologous tissue grafts, flaps, and prosthetic devices to reconstruct lost or damaged tissues. However, these methods are often constrained by donor-site limitations, immune rejection, and long-term complications. Regenerative approaches offer exciting new avenues for overcoming these challenges by using bioengineered tissues or stem cells to regenerate or replace damaged tissues more effectively and sustainably.

Despite the tremendous potential, translating these technologies from the laboratory to the clinical setting is fraught with challenges. Issues such as immune response, tissue integration, scaffold biocompatibility, and the precise control of stem cell differentiation remain areas of active investigation. Moreover, ethical concerns, regulatory hurdles, and the need for standardized protocols for clinical application must be carefully navigated to ensure patient safety and successful outcomes.

This Special Issue will provide a comprehensive overview of the most current and impactful research in the field, with contributions spanning from preclinical studies to clinical trials. Topics will include advancements in tissue engineering for skin, bone, nerve, and vascular regeneration, as well as the integration of regenerative therapies into reconstructive procedures, including facial reconstruction, breast reconstruction, and limb salvage. Through this collection of work, we aim to showcase the potential for regenerative medicine to revolutionize plastic and reconstructive surgery, offering new hope to patients in need of complex, life-altering treatments.

As we continue to explore the clinical frontiers of regenerative applications, the promise of restoring both the form and function of tissues offers a brighter future for patients worldwide. This Special Issue serves as a reflection of how far we have come and the exciting possibilities on the horizon in the field of regenerative plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Dr. Joris A. van Dongen
Prof. Dr. Steven Paul Nisticò
Dr. Luigi Bennardo
Dr. Marco Marcasciano
Guest Editors

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• regenerative medicine
• plastic and reconstructive surgery
• tissue
• traumatic injuries, tissue regeneration
• wound healing