Objectives/hypothesis: Current interventions in the management of vocal fold (VF) dysfunction focus on conservative and surgical approaches. However, the complex structure and precise biomechanical properties of the human VF mean that these strategies have their limitations in clinical practice and in some cases offer inadequate levels of success. Regenerative medicine is an exciting development in this field and has the potential to further enhance VF recovery beyond conventional treatments. Our aim in this review is to discuss advances in the field of regenerative medicine; that is, advances in the process of replacing, engineering, or regenerating the VF through utilization of stem cells, with the intention of restoring normal VF structure and function.
Data sources: English literature (1946-2015) review.
Methods: We conducted a systematic review of MEDLINE for cases and studies of VF tissue engineering utilizing stem cells.
Results: The three main approaches by which regenerative medicine is currently applied to VF regeneration include cell therapy, scaffold development, and utilization of growth factors.
Conclusion: Exciting advances have been made in stem cell biology in recent years, including use of induced pluripotent stem cells. We expect such advances to be translated into the field in the forthcoming years. Laryngoscope, 126:1865-1870, 2016.
Keywords: Regenerative medicine; stem cells; tissue engineering; vocal cords.
© 2016 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.