Plastic surgical perspectives on vascular endothelial growth factor as gene therapy for angiogenesis

The practice of plastic surgery has always remained at the frontier of medi cal science. Over the past few decades, this frontier has been marked by si gnificant developments in the field of gene therapy. Gene therapy serves to replace, supplement, or manipulate a patient's genetic makeup to restore f unction that has been lost or to correct function that is aberrant. Recent technology may allow surgeons to augment the processes of wound healing and angiogenesis by transfecting genes encoding desirable proteins, such as va scular endothelial factor (VEGF), into ischemic tissues. VEGF is a vital gr owth factor in the development of blood vessels. Although its mechanisms of action are numerous, its sole function seems to be the augmentation of ang iogenesis. VEGF is active in growth and development, in wound healing, and in various pathologic conditions, such as psoriasis and rheumatoid arthriti s. The role of VEGF in the field of plastic surgery is just beginning to be explored; it may someday prove to be very rewarding.