Cardiovascular diseases remain a leading cause of mortality globally, with atherosclerosis representing a significant pathological means, often leading to myocardial infarction. Coronary artery bypass surgery, a common procedure used to treat coronary artery disease, presents challenges due to the limited autologous tissue availability or the shortcomings of synthetic grafts. Consequently, there is a growing interest in tissue engineering approaches to develop vascular substitutes. This review offers an updated picture of the state of the art in vascular tissue engineering, emphasising the design of scaffolds and dynamic culture conditions following a biomimetic approach. By emulating native vessel properties and, in particular, by mimicking the three-layer structure of the vascular wall, tissue-engineered grafts can improve long-term patency and clinical outcomes. Furthermore, ongoing research focuses on enhancing biomimicry through innovative scaffold materials, surface functionalisation strategies, and the use of bioreactors mimicking the physiological microenvironment. Through a multidisciplinary lens, this review provides insight into the latest advancements and future directions of vascular tissue engineering, with particular reference to employing biomimicry to create systems capable of reproducing the structure–function relationships present in the arterial wall. Despite the existence of a gap between benchtop innovation and clinical translation, it appears that the biomimetic technologies developed to date demonstrate promising results in preventing vascular occlusion due to blood clotting under laboratory conditions and in preclinical studies. Therefore, a multifaceted biomimetic approach could represent a winning strategy to ensure the translation of vascular tissue engineering into clinical practice.

Abdominal hernia repair surgeries involve the fixation of a surgical mesh to the abdominal wall with different means such as suture, tacks, and glues. Currently, the most effective mesh fixation system is still debated. This review compares outcomes of mesh fixation in different surgical procedures, aiding surgeons in identifying the optimal technique. A meta-analysis was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. Articles published between January 2003 and January 2023 were searched in electronic databases. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing mesh fixation with cyanoacrylate-based or fibrin glues with classical fixation techniques (sutures, tacks) in open and laparoscopic procedures were included. 17 RCTs were identified; the cumulative study population included 3919 patients and a total of 3976 inguinal hernias. Cyanoacrylate-based and fibrin glues were used in 1639 different defects, suture and tacks in 1912 defects, self-gripping mesh in 404 cases, and no mesh fixation in 21 defects. Glue fixation resulted in lower early postoperative pain, and chronic pain occurred less frequently. The incidence of hematoma was lower with glue fixation than with mechanical fixation. Recurrence rate, seroma formation, operative and hospitalization time showed no significant differences; but significantly, a higher number of people in the glue group returned to work by 15- and 30-days after surgery when compared to the tacker and suture groups in the same time frame. Cyanoacrylate and fibrin glue may be effective in reducing early and chronic pain and hematoma incidence without increasing the recurrence rate, the seroma formation, or the operative and hospitalization time.