Plastic Surgery

Wound geometry dictates whether aligned-fiber scaffolds help or hurt diabetic wound closure

This modeling study links the effect of aligned-fiber scaffolds in diabetic wounds to wound geometry rather than material alone. Using a biased random-walk model calibrated to streptozotocin-diabetic rat wounds, cells migrated 50% faster along fibers but were impeded perpendicular to them. Identical scaffolds either accelerated or failed to improve healing solely depending on fiber orientation relative to wound shape. For elongated wounds, predicted closure rates varied by about 30% across different scaffold alignment angles. These data explain inconsistent outcomes with aligned scaffolds and argue for geometry-specific orientation planning in chronic diabetic wounds. 1

Ultrasound-activated piezoelectric hydrogel drives myogenesis and reinnervation in volumetric muscle loss

Investigators created an injectable conductive KOCC hydrogel incorporating lead-free piezoelectric nanoparticles for volumetric muscle loss (VML). Ultrasound stimulation generated localized electrical fields without implanted electrodes or external wiring, enabling wireless electrotherapy. In vitro and in vivo models showed enhanced myogenic differentiation, nerve regeneration, and neuromuscular junction formation with ultrasound-activated hydrogel. Treatment reduced excessive inflammation and fibrosis and improved functional recovery in a murine VML model. These findings position ultrasound-responsive piezoelectric hydrogels as a potential adjunct or alternative to flap-based VML reconstruction. 2

Standardized rabbit calvarial microCT protocol for evaluating mineralized collagen scaffolds

This protocol paper details a rabbit critical-size calvarial defect model combined with longitudinal in vivo microCT for scaffold assessment. Mineralized collagen–glycosaminoglycan scaffolds are implanted, and defects are imaged at six months using standardized acquisition and segmentation workflows. Three-dimensional rendering enables quantitative analysis of mineralized tissue volume, mineral density, and microarchitectural parameters across the defect. Use of reproducible software (ORS Dragonfly) facilitates consistent segmentation and comparison of different scaffold designs or treatments. The framework offers plastic surgeons a rigorous preclinical platform to benchmark cranial bone-regeneration strategies before clinical translation. 3