b2815 Tissue Engineering and Nanotheranostics “9.61x6.69”
32 Tissue Engineering and Nanotheranostics
development of neural elements and healing of surgical lesion. Some
surgeons prefer the use of patches made from extracellular matrix and
pericardium to facilitate tissue ingrowth and acceptance by the body,
but these have certain manufacturing restrictions.
1.4. Polymeric Patches in Fetal Surgery
Polymeric patches made of polypropylene (PP), polyethylene tereph-
thalate and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) are commonly used in
surgeries such as aortic arch reconstruction and hernia repair.^9 Patches
employed in these surgeries are also used in fetal surgery, but there
are numerous issues associated with this technique. There is negligible
prior art available on characterization of patches used for fetal surgery,
and this subject needs to be delved into deeper and explored further.
Fetal surgery refers to a complex domain, since the after-effects of
surgery are directly linked to the life of a child.
Surgical patches have been categorized on the basis of long-term
physical behavior, weight, size and elasticity.^9 We will discuss the
range of characterizations carried out for patches used for hernia
repair, aortic arch reconstruction, etc. which can also be applied to
the field of fetal research.
2. Literature Review
2.1. Inflammatory Response
Inflammation can be described as local tissue reaction to an injury or
implantation. An inflammatory response is initiated with clot forma-
tion and contraction. Any tissue-material interaction is accompanied
by protein adsorption to the biomaterial, but small extent of research
has been done on this phenomenon.^10 Scar formation is associated
with an inflow of defense cells between mesh pores and creation of
connective tissue with deposition of collagen.^11 Fibrotic scar shrinkage
causes mesh retraction, which can be avoided by possessing optimum
mechanical properties.^11 The shape and structure of the surgical
implant govern the biocompatibility of the implant, which depends
on the shrinkage and protein adsorption characteristics.^10
