Organ-on-chip models for reconstructive tissue engineering: An evolutionary plastic surgery advance.

This article focuses on the application of organ-on-chip (OOC) technology in advancing tissue-engineered grafts for reconstructive plastic surgery. OOC platforms replicate human tissue structure and function on microfluidic chips, enabling more accurate preclinical testing of graft integration, vascularization, and immunogenicity compared to traditional animal models. While OOC systems improve prediction of human responses and support patient-specific testing, they currently face challenges in fully modeling complex immune system dynamics and long-term stability. The technology holds promise for enhancing graft safety and efficacy, with growing market interest and a need for regulatory acceptance to facilitate clinical translation.