Tissue-engineered fascia from vaginal fibroblasts for patientsneeding reconstructive pelvic surgery

• DOI: 10.1007/s00192-010-1168-3
• Publication Date: 2010-05-17T14:54:52Z
• Authors: Man-Jung Hung; Mei-Chin Wen; Chia-Nung Hung; Esther Shih-Chu Ho; Gin-Den Chen; Vivian Cheng Yang
• Keywords: Adult; Tissue Engineering; Biopsy; Fibroblasts; Middle Aged; Plastic Surgery Procedures; Surgical Mesh; Pelvic Organ Prolapse; Pelvis; 03 medical and health sciences; Treatment Outcome; 0302 clinical medicine; Tissue Transplantation; Vagina; Humans; Female; Fascia; Cells, Cultured; Aged; Follow-Up Studies

Mesh-augmented reconstructive surgery for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) does not meet clinical expectations. A tissue-engineered fascia equivalent needs to be developed.Human vaginal fibroblasts (HVFs) from 10 patients were characterized in vitro. Eligible HVFs and a biodegradable scaffold were used to fabricate a fascia equivalent, which was then transplanted in vivo.The cultured HVFs were divided into high (n = 6) or low (n = 4) collagen I/III ratio groups. Cells of the high-ratio group exhibited significantly higher proliferation potential than those of the low-ratio group (P < 0.05). A fascia equivalent was made with HVFs of the high-ratio group. In the subsequent animal study, a well-organized neo-fascia formation containing HVFs could be traced up to 12 weeks after transplantation.Our results suggest that a tissue-engineered fascia could be developed from HVFs in vitro and in vivo, which might be an effective treatment for POP in the future.