**Tissue Engineering of Esophagus**

**Tissue Engineering of Esophagus**

Yabin Zhu, Mi Zhou and Ruixia Hou Yabin Zhu, Mi Zhou and Ruixia Hou Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.69350

#### **Abstract**

The incidences of esophageal diseases like atresia, tracheoesophageal fistula, esophagi‐ tis, and even carcinoma rise rapidly worldwide. Traditional therapies such as surgery, chemotherapy, or/and radiotherapy, etc. always meet problems, leading to deterioration of the patients' life quality and sometimes the reduced survival rate. Tissue‐engineered esophagus, a novel biologic substitute with tissue architecture and bio‐functions, has been believed to be a promising replacement in the future. However, the research of esophageal tissue engineering is still at the early stage. Considerable research has been focused on the issues of developing ideal scaffolds with optimal materials and fabrication methods. The *in vivo* tests and clinic attempts are being progressed.

DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.69350

**Keywords:** materials, scaffolds, fabrication technology, tissue engineering, regeneration
