Cellulose Formate-Based Surgical Sutures With Tunable Absorbability and Enhanced Biocompatibility

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Surgical Innovation

Background:

• Cellulose is abundant, renewable, and biocompatible, making it suitable for sutures.
• Traditional cellulose sutures are non-absorbable due to the lack of human cellulase.
• Developing absorbable, high-performance sutures is crucial for advanced surgical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate and characterize novel cellulose-based threads for absorbable suture applications.
• To enhance the mechanical properties and ensure in vivo degradability and absorbability.
• To evaluate the antibacterial properties, biocompatibility, and wound healing efficacy compared to existing sutures.

Main Methods:

• Cellulose formate (CF) and collagen threads (1:1 ratio) were fabricated with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) surface modification.
• Mechanical properties (strength, toughness) were assessed and compared to commercial sutures.
• In vitro and in vivo degradation, absorbability, antibacterial activity, biocompatibility, and wound healing were evaluated.

Main Results:

• CF-collagen threads exhibited enhanced strength and toughness, comparable to commercial collagen sutures.
• In vivo degradation resulted in 11.6% CF conversion to absorbable glucose within 56 days.
• Tunable in vitro absorbability (50% strength loss in 21-49 days) was achieved by adjusting CF properties.
• The novel sutures demonstrated superior antibacterial properties, comparable biocompatibility, minimal inflammation, and faster wound healing.

Conclusions:

• The developed cellulose-based thread is a promising green alternative for absorbable sutures.
• It meets the criteria for absorbable sutures with tunable degradation rates.
• The material exhibits excellent biocompatibility, antibacterial properties, and promotes faster wound healing, suitable for advanced surgical applications.