Evaluation and characterization of waterborne biodegradable polyurethane films for the prevention of tendon postoperative adhesion

Abstract

Background

Tendon adhesion is a serious problem and it affects tendon gliding and joint motion. Although recent studies have yielded promising results in developing anti-adhesion materials, there are still many problems. Polycaprolactone (PCL)-based polyurethane (PU) has good mechanical properties and biocompatibility, and it has a potential in anti-adhesion applications.

Materials and methods

In this study, a series of waterborne biodegradable polyurethane (WBPU) films with different ratios of ionic groups were synthesized. In order to select an effective anti-adhesion film, the WBPU films were cast and characterized for physicochemical properties and biocompatibility.

Results

All WBPU films were non-cytotoxic in the cell viability test and had suitable physicochemical and mechanical properties based on the measurement of zeta potential, water contact angle, mechanical properties, water absorption, thickness change, and gelatin test. To evaluate the anti-adhesion effect, severely injured tendons of rabbits were sutured with the modified Kessler core suture technique and WBPU films were then wrapped around the tendon. Implantation in rabbits showed that the WBPU film had better anti-adhesion effect than PCL films and the untreated control, and demonstrated no significant difference in the anti-adhesion performance from the commercial product Seprafilm based on gross evaluation, histological analysis, and biomechanical assessment.

Conclusion

Compared to Seprafilm and PCL applied in the tendon anti-adhesion, WBPU had better mechanical properties, low inflammatory reaction, and a proper degradation interval.

Keywords:

• adhesion
• tendon
• polyurethane
• postoperative adhesion

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the Ministry of Science Technology, R.O.C (MOST105-2221-E-002–103 and MOST106-2221- E-002–079-MY2) for financial support. They also thank Mr Yao-Wen Hung in National Defense Medical Center, ROC for the assistance in Scanning Electron Microscopy analysis.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.