Innovative Use of an Injectable, Self-Healing Drug-Loaded Pectin-Based Hydrogel for Micro- and Supermicro-Vascular...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Surgical Innovation
• Vascular Biology

Background:

• Microvascular surgery requires precise reconnection of small vessels, with suturing being standard but challenging.
• Existing methods for microvascular anastomosis often focus on arteries, neglecting veins, and lack superior solutions.
• Collapsing lumens in microvessels complicate suturing, increasing failure risk and procedure time.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an injectable, lidocaine-loaded pectin hydrogel for improved microvascular anastomosis.
• To address challenges in suturing collapsed microvessel lumens, particularly in venous procedures.
• To evaluate the hydrogel's efficacy in preventing vasospasm and facilitating vessel connection.

Main Methods:

• Computational methods including molecular dynamics (MD) and quantum mechanics (QM) simulations to study drug-pectin interactions.
• Experimental preparation and characterization of lidocaine-loaded pectin hydrogels using FT-IR, SEM, and rheological analysis.
• In vivo evaluation of the hydrogel's performance in facilitating microvascular anastomoses.

Main Results:

• The developed pectin hydrogel demonstrated self-healing properties and was suitable for in vivo application.
• Hydrogel injection prevented vasospasm and facilitated micro- and supermicro-vascular anastomoses, including challenging venous connections.
• Late-stage imaging and histopathological analysis up to 6 months showed no significant adverse changes.

Conclusions:

• Injectable lidocaine-loaded pectin hydrogel offers a promising solution for microvascular surgery.
• The hydrogel enhances arterial, lymphatic, and particularly venous anastomoses.
• This innovation has the potential to improve outcomes in complex micro-reconstructive procedures.