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shows that silver can be used as an antimicrobial agent in CANCER TREATMENT
grafts while previous studies showed its topical use.
Cancer treatment often involves multiple modalities,
[36]
Kose et al. examined silica‑based mesoporous materials including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.
to characterize the features that determine the loading The single most important predictor of patient
capacity and delivery of medications integrated into survival for cancer is complete surgical resection.
these devices. They specifically focused on silica‑based Nanometer‑sized particles such as quantum dots and
mesoporous materials because they can be manufactured colloidal gold have novel size‑tunable properties that
with a high degree of homogeneity with a tunable pore neither discrete molecules nor bulk materials can
size. Their work highlights the importance of pore size, provide. These particles have the potential for tumor
[38]
volume, and surface area in both drug adsorption and localization, tumor margin detection, identification
drug elution from the device. of important adjacent structures, mapping of sentinel
Nanotechnology has further applications beyond the lymph nodes, and detection of residual tumor cells
fabrication of devices and materials on the nanoscale. or micrometastases. Contrast agents containing such
Nanotechnology also allows us to study and quantify particles can be accumulated in solid tumors through
biological processes at this level using various techniques. passive and active targeting mechanisms. In addition,
Differences of regional bone on the nanoscale may allow intraoperative imaging can be used to overcome
for improved or novel harvesting techniques in addition problems with tissue penetration of traditional optical
to infrequently used donor sites for graft harvest. Through methods [Figure 5]. Such agents include quantum dots,
this knowledge, we can improvise the architecture of and surface‑enhanced Raman scattering nanoparticles.
materials to increase success rate in tissue reconstruction. Evaluating the long‑term fate and toxicity of nanoparticles
Leong et al. have utilized tissue characterization on remains a challenge. Finally, it is important to design
[37]
the nanoscale to categorize the various tissues present agents that are accumulated in tumors, but are cleared
during bone callus formation. Understanding bone healing from other organs and tissues.
biology at the nanoscale will help us develop ways to In conclusion, nanotechnology has a vast array of
improve this process for reconstructive purposes. applications in plastic and reconstructive surgery [Table 2].

Table 2: Summary of nanotechnology applications in plastic and reconstructive surgery
Material Device Application
Lipids, peptides, nucleic acids, Vesicles, nanotubes, nanoparticles Drug delivery
polysaccharides, viruses
Peptides, antibodies Activatable probes, tumor paints Tumor targeting, theranostics
Polymers (poly-lactic acid, glycolic Vesicles, spheres, nanoparticles, Drug delivery
acid, caprolactone, propylene, etc.,) micelles, dendrimers
Silicone, silicone dioxide Nanoparticles, nanoneedles Drug delivery
Carbon Nanotubes, fullerenes Drug delivery
Carbon Semiconductor quantum dots Tumor targeting
Gold, silver, palladium, platinum Nanoparticles, nanoshells Drug delivery, quantum dots, tumor detection
Gold Surface-enhanced Raman scattering Tumor targeting
Poly lactate, poly glycolic acid Layered scaffolds Composite skin grafts, chronic wounds, burn
wounds, skin diseases
Poly lactate, poly glycolic acid Contoured scaffolds Customized fat grafts, breast reconstruction
Poly lactate, poly glycolic acid Flexible scaffolds, bioreactors Functional muscle grafts, solid organ transplants
Poly lactate, poly glycolic acid Hydrogel scaffolds Moldable cartilage scaffolds, craniofacial and skeletal
reconstruction, dental restoration and reconstruction
Poly lactate, poly glycolic acid Rigid scaffolds, mineralized substrates Bone grafts
Collagen Nanofibers Wound care
Chitosan Nanofibrils Wound, burn care
Silver Nanoparticles Wound and burn care
Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide Nanoparticles Sunscreen
Fullerene, lipids Vesicles, nanotubes, nanoparticles Skin care products
Silicone, silicone dioxide Nanofiber, nanoparticle Breast implants
Peptides, collagen, PLGA, chitosan Flexible scaffolds, nanofibers Nerve conduits
PLGA, titanium, polyethylene Nanoscale surfacing Bone prostheses and implants
Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles, implant coating Bone replacement, implant coating
Titanium, carbon Nanotubes Bone regeneration scaffolds
Carbon, metal colloids Nanorobots Tissue healing, bone replacement, tumor
theronostics, anesthesia
Ceramics (nonorgainic, nonmetallic Nanocoating, nanofibers, Bone restoration, reconstruction
compounds) nanocomposites
PLGA: Poly‑DL‑lactic‑co‑glycolic acid

48 Plast Aesthet Res || Vol 1 || Issue 2 || Sep 2014