Biomaterials in Tissue Regeneration Following Surgically Induced Bile Duct Injuries: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: Bile duct injury (BDI) following cholecystectomy represents a significant surgical complication, often associated with hepatobiliary dysfunction, increased morbidity, and the need for complex reconstruction. Advances in tissue engineering and biomaterials have introduced novel strategies aimed at bile duct regeneration. This systematic review evaluates current evidence on biomaterial-based approaches for the treatment of BDI in experimental animal models. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted between October 2025 and January 2026 in PubMed, Web of Science, and Ovid, following the PRISMA 2020 checklist. The selected studies explored a range of regenerative strategies applied to experimental animal models, including polymeric scaffolds, decellularized grafts, bioabsorbable stents, hydrogels, and bioactive systems incorporating growth factors or stem cells. RESULTS: A total of 1141 records were identified from Web of Science (578), PubMed (459), and Ovid (104). After removal of 413 duplicates, 667 records were excluded during title and abstract screening. Fifty-eight articles underwent full text assessment, and 20 studies met the inclusion criteria for data extraction. These studies explored diverse biomaterial-based strategies aimed at promoting biliary regeneration and functional repair in experimental models. These approaches include decellularized and autologous grafts, polymeric scaffolds, bioactive systems, stents, and other natural materials, each with a unique set of advantages. CONCLUSION: Current evidence highlights the growing potential of biomaterial-based and bioactive platforms for bile duct regeneration in experimental models, underscoring the importance of continued research to optimize these strategies and facilitate their future translation to clinical approaches.