Efficacy concerns in widely available clinical materials for surgery are highlighted by poor mechanical properties and difficulty in application to complex tissue surfaces in vivo. Our previous research has successfully demonstrated an ability to deposit via solution blow spinning (SBS), tissue adherent sealants for intestinal anastomosis and liver laceration. Here, we adapt SBS to create adhesive polymer scaffolds for (1) antimicrobial burn wound dressings and (2) pressure sensitive tissue adhesives (PSTAs).

Previously studied applications of SBS used a blend of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PLGA/PEG) that adhered due to a body-temperature (37°C) mediated adhesive event facilitated by melting of PEG. We further innovate upon PLGA/PEG via inclusion of Ag⁺ as an antimicrobial agent for treatment of burn wound infections. In vitro release of 1 mg/mL Ag⁺ from PLGA/PEG presents a burst phase (~50% at t = 1d) followed by stabilized release at a concentration sufficiently antimicrobial and non-toxic to critical wound healing cells over 28d. Coupled with durable polymer-porcine scab hybrid scaffolds indicating improved adhesion to tissue, blowspun PLGA/PEG/Ag can act as a potential wound dressing alternative to clinical polyurethane controls.

Additional applications of SBS explore use molecular weight blends of poly(lactide-co-caprolactone) (PLCL) to produce a viscoelastic material with augmented wet tissue adhesion via pressure-mediated application. Results from this work show that fabricated PSTAs dramatically improved sealant burst pressure (>100kPa) and pull-apart adhesion strength (2 N/cm²) on ex vivo porcine intestine and skin, while also facilitating total wound healing as a band-aid adhesive in a porcine wound healing model.

Biocompatible adhesive curing via pressure or a body temperature mediated events, whilst facilitating complete wound healing in vivo, are presented in both dressing and PSTA applications of SBS.

Applications of SBS in surgery

Metecan Erdi

University of Maryland at College Park

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