Development of an Animal Model to Tissue Engineer Human Lips

Objective: One of the most difficult regions of the face to reconstruct after avulsion is the oral region, specifically the lips, due to the complex natural architecture of the lost tissue (compromising skin, oral mucosa and muscle tissue) that is very difficult to replace. Present surgical procedures to address this issue have been unsatisfactory. The only other alternative is face transplants which requires lifelong immunosuppression of the recipient. The ability to develop “designer” vascularized prefabrication flap will increase the options available to a reconstructive surgeon

Method: We have developed a rat model to assess the functional aspect of sphincter contraction by creating a prelaminated flap utilizing the latissimus dorsi muscle and a dermal equivalent, AlloDerm® (LifeCell Corp., NJ)

Result: The dermal equivalent was placed onto the latissimus dorsi muscle to create a prelaminated flap. At the time of placement of the dermal equivalent a surgically created stoma or opening was made in the dermal equivalent and through the latissimus dorsi muscle parallel to the muscle fibers allowing their separation to create a circular ring of muscle fibers simulating the orbicularis oris. Muscle function tests were performed using a manometer and demonstrated stoma closure on muscle stimulation.

Conclusion: We report the development of an animal model to assist in the tissue engineering of a set of autogenous human lips could be used for surgical lip reconstruction in individuals suffering from lip loss from cancer, congenital deformations, and injuries after accidents.

Peramo A, Marcelo CL, Feinberg SE. Tissue engineering of lips and muco-cutaneous junctions: in vitro development of tissue engineered constructs of oral mucosa and skin for lip reconstruction. Tissue Eng C Methods 2012;18:273–82. 

Izumi K, Song J, Feinberg SE: Development of a tissue-engineered human oral mucosa: From the bench to the bedside. Cells Tissues Organs 176:134, 2004