The history and current status of tissue engineering: The future of pediatric surgery

Progress in the pediatric surgical treatment of numerous tissue deficits has been achieved through the relatively new field of tissue engineering. Tissue engineering has distinct advantages over native tissue or prosthetic substitution including self-repair and growth with the patient, avoiding multiple surgeries. The application of microfabrication has allowed more precision in the control of cell interactions and resulting tissue architecture. J Pediatr Surg 37:277-288. Copyright (C) 2002 by W.B. Saunders Company.