Novel wound sealants: biomaterials and applications

• Published in: Expert review of medical devices Vol. 7; no. 5; pp. 639 - 659
• Main Authors: Peng, Henry T, Shek, Pang N
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis 01.09.2010; Expert Reviews Ltd; Informa Healthcare
• Subjects: Biocompatible Materials - chemistry; Biocompatible Materials - therapeutic use; Biological products; Biomaterials; Biomedical materials; Dendrimers; Fibrin; hemorrhage control; Humans; Keratin; Keratins; Liquids; Polysaccharides - therapeutic use; Proteins - therapeutic use; Sealers; Surgical implants; Sutures; Technology application; tissue adhesives; Wound Healing; wound sealants
• ISSN: 1743-4440; 1745-2422
• DOI: 10.1586/erd.10.40

Wound sealants provide an excellent alternative for closing surgical and non-surgical wounds, as well as stopping external bleeding for prehospital trauma injuries. Numerous biomaterials have been investigated to address specific requirements for their use as suitable wound sealants. This article focuses on the development of new wound sealant biomaterials and recent advances in the surgical applications of wound sealants. In the past 5 years, many new sealant materials had been reported, including keratin, mussel-adhesive proteins, dendrimers and in situ-forming hydrogels. Fibrin sealants remain the most clinically studied for a variety of surgical procedures, while clinical experience with wound sealants for orthopedic surgery is limited. Both liquid and solid wound sealants have been developed and found effective by possessing strong adhesive properties. Biocompatible and biodegradable wound sealants hold much promise in eventually replacing sutures in most surgical procedures.