Soft tissue scaffold fabrication based on electrospinning: Application and prospect

Abstract

Electrospun scaffolds show strong potential in soft tissue engineering, particularly in promoting the repair of soft tissue lesions, and have attracted increasing research attention in recent years. The macroscopic structure of electrospun scaffolds plays a key role in optimizing mechanical properties, degradation rate, and biocompatibility. These structures can be tailored through post-processing techniques to meet the diverse requirements of different soft tissues. Despite growing interest, current literature lacks a comprehensive review, and clinical reference data remain limited, providing insufficient guidance for practical applications. This paper reviews the structural characteristics and applications of electrospun scaffolds in soft tissue engineering. It first examines soft tissue types and common treatment strategies, followed by a comparative discussion of electrospinning advantages in this context. Structural categories laminar, tubular, three-dimensional (3D), and bundle types are summarized, together with their underlying design principles and corresponding applications. In addition, scaffold post-processing methods and 3D fabrication techniques are reviewed, emphasizing how key structural features affect tissue repair. Finally, existing challenges are outlined, and potential research directions are proposed to support the clinical translation of electrospinning technology in soft tissue regeneration. The findings aim to offer practical guidance for advancing scaffold design and improving repair efficacy.