New nose reconstructed from cultured cartilage

Nostrils from the retort

04/13/2014

In Switzerland, scientists have for the first time succeeded in reconstructing nasal membranes that have been eroded by skin cancer with the help of cultivated cartilage. For this, endogenous cartilage cells of the patients were used.

Nostrils eaten by skin cancer
Scientists at the University of Basel have for the first time succeeded in reconstructing nasal membranes eaten by skin cancer with the help of cultivated cartilage. This tissue was grown from the patient's own cartilage cells. Professor Ivan Martin from the University of Basel explained: „This new technique could help the body accept the new tissue more easily and improve the stability and functionality of the nostril.“ The results of the Swiss researchers were published on Friday in the journal „The Lancet“ released.

Tissue from cartilage cells multiplied
After only a few days ago it was reported that a stem cell research was able to breed artificial noses and ears in a British laboratory, the news from Switzerland testifies to a further advance in the production of artificial body parts. Nostrils have so far been reconstructed from cartilage pieces that are surgically removed from the ear, nasal septum or ribs of the patient. This is usually very painful. For the new method, the scientists around Professor Martin now took small samples of cartilage cells from five patients between the ages of 76 and 88, multiplying them and then growing them to 40 times the size of the original sample. Between December 2010 and February 2012, the five patients were then implanted with the tissue that had been brought into the desired shape for the nose and covered with a skin graft.

Patients were satisfied with the results
One year after surgery, the implant was rated stable in a review and all patients were satisfied with their appearance and breathing ability. According to Martin, the results of artificial tissue are comparable to those of cartilage surgery. He now hopes to be able to use the method for more demanding reconstructions in facial surgery, such as the complete nose, eyelid or ear. In a parallel study, it is currently being investigated whether the procedure can also be used for cartilage reconstruction in the knee joint. Despite the optimistic outlook, routine use of the procedure in clinical practice is still a long way off, according to the expert.

Artificial vagina for teens
Another message from this topic, also in „The Lancet“ appeared, concerns a groundbreaking innovation. It was reported that years ago, American researchers had succeeded in breeding tissue for artificial vagina. Scientists from the US and Mexico have bred vaginal tissue from genital cells of female patients. They had treated four teenagers eight years ago to correct their vagina, which was underdeveloped or missing due to a rare disease. The results could now be summarized in a scientific review. According to the report, the implanted vagina grew together with the girls and developed normally. The teenagers told the doctors that they were not in pain and had a natural sense of pleasure. Even orgasms are possible, the scientists reported. (Ad)