Innovations in rhinologic tissue engineering: an overview of current developments

With recent advancements in cell biology, biomaterials, and scaffold design, tissue engineering has emerged as a rapidly evolving frontier in rhinology within the broader scope of regenerative medicine. Conventional nasal reconstruction is limited by donor tissue scarcity, morbidity, and inconsistent aesthetic outcomes, underscoring the need for new therapeutic strategies. This review explores the latest developments in tissue engineering applied to rhinology. A comprehensive search was conducted across major English-language databases utilizing keywords such as 'regenerative medicine', 'scaffold', 'biomaterials', and 'tissue engineering' in combination with 'nose', 'nasal', and 'rhinology', and clinical trials, in vitro studies, and in vivo investigations were included. In these reports, progress of materials and methods in engineering nasal tissues, including mucosa, cartilage, and skin is discussed, and the practical potential of scaffolds in enhancing surgical efficacy and reconstruction quality is highlighted. Natural biomaterials, such as decellularized matrices and hyaluronic acid, offer excellent biocompatibility, while synthetic polymers like PCL and PLA improve structural integrity. Tissue engineering in rhinology still faces several challenges, such as scaffold complexity, unknown long-term effects, limited vascularization, and scaffold degradation. Nevertheless, it holds promise for improving rhinologic procedures and achieving better outcomes in cosmetic appearance, functional recovery, and patient satisfaction. Ultimately, the integration of tissue engineering innovations together with clinical expertise can shape the next generation of nasal reconstructive strategies and improve patient quality of life.