Abstract
A BSTRACT Background: Stem cell therapy has emerged as a promising strategy in surgical practice, offering regenerative and immunomodulatory capabilities that extend beyond conventional treatment approaches. Its application spans multiple surgical specialties, including orthopedics, cardiovascular surgery, reconstructive procedures, and transplantation. This mini review aims to summarize current applications of stem cell therapy in surgery, focusing on mechanisms of action, delivery strategies, and clinical outcomes, while highlighting key challenges and future directions. Review Methods: A narrative synthesis of recent preclinical and clinical studies was conducted, emphasizing advances in mesenchymal stem/stromal cells, pluripotent stem cells, and tissue-specific progenitor cells relevant to surgical interventions. Results: Stem cell therapies demonstrate therapeutic potential through multiple mechanisms, including tissue regeneration, immunomodulation, and paracrine signaling. Clinical applications have shown encouraging outcomes in cartilage repair, myocardial regeneration, wound healing, and transplant tolerance. Local delivery approaches - such as scaffold-based implantation and hydrogel systems - enhance cell retention and efficacy, while systemic administration is primarily used for immunomodulatory purposes. However, challenges remain, including variability in cell sources, lack of standardization, dosing uncertainty, and concerns regarding long-term safety and regulatory compliance. Conclusion: Stem cell therapy represents a rapidly evolving field with significant implications for the future of surgery. Continued advancements in bioengineering, standardized protocols, and high-quality clinical trials are essential to facilitate its translation into routine surgical practice and to maximize its therapeutic potential.