OBJECTIVE To develop a tissue culture expansion method for rabbit chondrocytes that promotes robust expansion while preserving chondrogenic potential. DESIGN Rabbit chondrocytes isolated from articular or auricular chondrocytes were assessed for chondrogenic differentiation potential versus population doubling using different expansion and differentiation conditions. Expansion conditions incl...

BACKGROUND Current tissue engineering methods are insufficient for total joint resurfacing, and chondrocytes undergo de-differentiation when expanded on tissue culture plastic. De-differentiated chondrocytes show poor re-differentiation in culture, giving reduced glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and collagen matrix accumulation. To address this, porcine synoviocyte-derived extracellular matrix and low (...

BACKGROUND Tissue expansion is a well-recognized technique for reconstructing a wide variety of skin and soft tissue defects. Its application in the pediatric population has enabled the plastic surgeon to achieve functional and aesthetic goals that were previously unobtainable. OBJECTIVES To review the use of tissue expansion in the pediatric population, with particular emphasis on indication...

Reconstructing scalp defects can be challenging for a plastic surgeon. For this purpose, different procedures such as primary repair and coverage with skin grafts or flaps can be considered. Sometimes, the external table of the skull can be removed completely to the diploic space. At the same time or after the formation of granulation tissue, the diploic space can be covered with split-thicknes...

Today, the biomechanical fundamentals of skin expansion are based on viscoelastic models of the skin. Although many studies have been conducted in vitro, analyses performed in vivo are rare. Here, we present in vivo measurements of the expansion at the skin surface as well as measurement of the corresponding intracutaneous oxygen partial pressure. In our study the average skin stretching was 24...