Journal of Science and Applications: Biomedicine

26-32

Authors: Chunbo Li 1*, Yuping Gong 2

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a common disorder affecting the quality of life for millions of women worldwide. Effective surgical procedures involving synthetic permanent meshes exist, but significant short- and long-term complications occur. Stem cell-based tissue engineering presents an alternative approach, which aims at repairing the anatomical components of pelvic supporting structures. However, the vagina is a complex organ with great demands of functionality, and the perfect match of scaffold, cells, trophic factors and animal model has yet to be found and tested in preclinical studies. Therefore, new research directions include the usage of bioactive materials, the application of seed cell, and the usage of various trophic factors may help facilitate integration of the new tissue. More research with detailed in vivo and long term testing is needed to ascertain the most successful and safe methods and materials for POP.