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Making a Painless Drain: Proof of Concept
Anna K Gergen1, Helen J Madsen1, Adam J Rocker2
1Department of Surgery, Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO.
Seminars in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
|October 17, 2022
Summary
This study developed a novel lidocaine-eluting hydrogel coating for chest tubes to reduce postoperative pain. In mice, the coating significantly increased pain tolerance, showing promise for managing pain after cardiothoracic surgery.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Pain Management
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Post-cardiothoracic surgery pain is often severe and linked to chest tubes.
- Current pain management strategies may have limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a cost-effective, easy-to-use lidocaine-eluting hydrogel coating for chest tubes.
- To evaluate the efficacy of this coating in reducing pain in a preclinical model.
Main Methods:
- A lidocaine-eluting hydrogel was created using gelatin and lidocaine-loaded nanoparticles, crosslinked with glutaraldehyde.
- The hydrogel was coated onto silicone discs and implanted in mice.
- Pain tolerance was assessed using von Frey filaments on post-procedure days 1 and 3.
Main Results:
- Lidocaine-eluting discs significantly increased pain tolerance in mice compared to controls on both post-procedure days 1 and 3.
- Higher concentrations of lidocaine (80 mg) showed a more pronounced increase in pain tolerance.
Conclusions:
- A lidocaine-eluting hydrogel coating for chest tubes was successfully developed and demonstrated efficacy in vivo.
- This drug-eluting drain coating concept holds potential for broad application in managing pain associated with various medical drains.
