Omics-Based Biomarkers for Prediction and Monitoring of Cutaneous Wound Healing in Reconstructive Surgery: A Systematic Review

Surgical wound healing is a complex and tightly regulated biological process involving sequential yet overlapping phases of inflammation, angiogenesis, cellular proliferation, and tissue remodeling. In reconstructive and plastic surgery, successful wound repair is essential for ensuring graft and flap survival, minimizing scar formation, and achieving optimal functional as well as aesthetic outcomes. Recent advances in molecular medicine have highlighted the potential value of genetic and omics-based biomarkers for evaluating and predicting the healing process. This systematic review aimed to summarize current evidence regarding molecular biomarkers associated with cutaneous wound healing following reconstructive surgical procedures. A comprehensive literature search was performed in the PubMed database through October ۲۰۲۵. Twenty-two eligible experimental and clinical studies investigating the diagnostic, prognostic, or predictive significance of molecular biomarkers in surgical wound healing were included. The findings demonstrated that inflammatory biomarkers, including interleukin-۶ (IL-۶), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and C-reactive protein (CRP), are closely associated with the early inflammatory response and may serve as indicators of wound progression. Angiogenic mediators such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) were consistently linked to tissue regeneration, neovascularization, and flap viability. Moreover, transforming growth factor-beta ۱ (TGF-β۱) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) were identified as important regulators of extracellular matrix remodeling and scar development. Emerging evidence also suggests that microRNAs and integrated multi-omics signatures, particularly those related to immune regulation, cellular metabolism, and iron homeostasis, may provide valuable insights into delayed or impaired wound healing. Although the available evidence is encouraging, considerable variability in biomarker selection, analytical methods, and study design limits the translation of these findings into routine clinical practice. Future well-designed multicenter studies with standardized biomarker panels are required to validate promising candidates and facilitate the implementation of biomarker-guided personalized strategies in reconstructive wound management.

کلیدواژه ها:

Omics ، Biomarkers ، Cutaneous wound healing ، Reconstructive surgery ، Plastic surgery