Table 4.

Advantages and disadvantages of Tissue Engineering techniques currently being explored for tracheal reconstruction

	Advantages	Disadvantages
Prosthetic material	Physical and functional replacement of the trachea	Risk of inflammation Incomplete host tissue integration
Autografts	Absence of rejection Absence of inflammation	Donor tissue availability
Allografts	Availability of donor tissue	Risk of intense inflammation Risk of organic rejection Dependence on immunosuppressive drugs
Cell-based therapies	Can be used in combination with prostheses, scaffolds, and growth factors Promotion of in vivo tracheal regeneration Specific cell differentiation	Inconsistent results The ideal cell type to be used has not yet been identified Risks of organic rejection Risks of genetic instability Risks of tumorigenic differentiation Difficulties in isolation and cell expansion
Scaffolds	Availability of materials with synthetic and natural origin Can be used in combination with cells to maximize their benefits	High manufacturing requirements Requirement of precise physical characteristics to guarantee cytocompatibility, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and absence of local and systemic toxicity
Growth factors	Can be used in combination with cells to maximize their benefits Influence cell proliferation and differentiation Ensure cellular growth and nutrition Modulation of the pro-regenerative environment at the site of injury and site of administration	Risk of adverse reactions Challenging manufacturing techniques Compromised product stability Inconsistent results