Dieieva Yu, Krynychko L, Motailo O
EFFICACY OF STEM CELLS IN NASAL MUCOSA REGENERATION
FOR SEPTAL PERFORATIONS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
Dieieva Julia V.
Bogomolets National Medical University, Kyiv, Ukraine
Head of the department of Otorhinolaryngology
MD, PhD, professor
E-mail: deyeva@bigmir.net
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0552-1254
https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=55359076200
Krynychko Liliia
Bogomolets National Medical University, Kyiv, Ukraine
Assistant of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology
MD, PhD
E-mail: liliakrynychko@gmail.com
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-5843-5058
Motaylo Oleksiy
Bogomolets National Medical University, Kyiv, Ukraine
Assistant of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology
MD, PhD
E-mail: motailo.oleksii@gmail.com
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-8700-314X
Scopus Author ID: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57200117326
Abstract
Background: Nasal septal perforation represents a complex clinical problem with unpredictable treatment outcomes using traditional surgical methods. Success rates vary between 53-90%, with defects larger than 2 cm diameter being particularly challenging to repair. Regenerative medicine using stem cells may offer alternative approaches for nasal septal tissue restoration.
Objective: To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of available studies on the effectiveness of stem cells in nasal mucosa regeneration for septal perforations.
Methods: This systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Searches were performed in MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, Web of Science, Scopus, and other electronic databases through May 2025. Studies of various designs using stem cells for nasal septal perforation treatment were included. Quality assessment was performed using RoB 2, ROBINS-I, and JBI tools. Evidence quality was assessed using GRADE methodology.
Results: Initial search identified 264 publications. After screening, only 2 studies met inclusion criteria: Fulco et al. (2014) and Sándor et al. (2014). A total of 7 patients with nasal defects were analyzed, of which only 2 had septal perforations. Fulco et al. used autologous chondrocytes with Chondro-Gide membranes, achieving 100% success for nasal alar cartilage defects. Sándor et al. employed adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells with β-tricalcium phosphate, achieving 50% success (1/2) for septal perforations. No serious adverse effects were reported. Evidence quality was rated as “very low” by GRADE methodology for all outcomes.
Conclusions: Current evidence base regarding stem cell effectiveness for nasal septal perforations is extremely limited with very low level of evidence. Available studies demonstrate potentially promising results without serious adverse effects, but high-quality randomized controlled trials with larger patient samples are urgently needed to properly assess the method’s efficacy and safety.
Keywords: nose, nasal cavity, nasal septum, nasal septal perforation, stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells, tissue engineering, systematic review.
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