[Current Status and Future Prospects of Covering, Reinforcement, and Sealant Materials in Thoracic Surgery]

Various types of covering materials, reinforcement materials, and sealants with different compositions and structures are available in the field of thoracic surgery. However, complications such as infection, adhesion, and deformation of the materials, as well as hematoma caused by bleeding, chylothorax from lymphatic leakage, and pneumothorax or empyema due to air leaks, still occur at a certain rate. These issues indicate that the functions of currently available materials do not yet fully meet the needs of thoracic surgeons. In this article, we provide an overview of the classification, characteristics, and limitations of materials currently approved for use in Japan. Furthermore, we introduce recent advances in the development of novel materials-particularly surgical sealants-including an Alaska pollock gelatin sealant that we are co-developing for clinical application. In the development of new materials, improvements in physical properties, along with the availability of different formulations-such as liquid and sheet types-are expected to broaden their clinical applicability. The properties and limitations of each material are closely interrelated, and a thorough understanding of both is essential for optimal material selection and appropriate clinical use.