Medical Adhesives & Sealants: research reports

Surgical sealants are synthetic or biological substances that are used to either seal postoperative internal air or fluid leaks or to close a topical wound. Sealants are absorbable materials used primarily to control internal bleeding and to seal tissue. Adhesives are stronger than sealants and are nonabsorbable, but are biologically based. Surgical glues are the strongest of all three and are usually synthetic and nonabsorbable.

These products are used for topical wounds. They are made from cyanoacrylates, a strong adhesive found in commercially available super glues.

Sealants, adhesives and glues offer advantages to patients that suture and staples cannot provide. By using sealants, adhesives and glues, physicians can close wounds more quickly than with sutures or staples; patients don’t require a local anesthetic before the adhesive can be applied. The absence of stitches also eliminates the need for a follow up visit to remove them. The reduction in application time and unnecessary follow up office visits has significant cost benefits to the health care system and it vastly improves the quality of life for the patient.

Reports in this category focus on the wound care markets.