Chitosan-based nano-structured biomaterials for sutureless tissue repair

Abstract

Sutures and staples have long been considered the gold standard for tissue wound repair and re-constructive surgeries. Their usage can often result in foreign-body inflammation, infection, excessive scarring, as well as air and fluid leakage in procedures involving the lungs, blood vessels, dura mater, and urethra. With the advent of bioadhesives, there are now several alternative techniques available that limit these adverse effects. Although the majority of these techniques are minimally invasive and provide sufficient wound closure, they can lack flexibility, and present a risk of cytotoxicity. Sutureless procedures for wound repair and closure have recently integrated nano-structured devices to improve their efficacy and clinical outcome. Gecko-inspired adhesives, for example rely mostly on van der Waals forces to adhere to a surface. This adherence is challenged by the moist environment of the tissue during wound closure and significantly compromises the bonding strength.

Date of Award	2018
Original language	English