Recent advances in biodegradable metals for medical sutures: A critical review
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-16-2015
Department
Department of Biomedical Engineering; Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Abstract
Sutures that biodegrade and dissolve over a period of several weeks are in great demand to stitch wounds and surgical incisions. These new materials are receiving increased acceptance across surgical procedures whenever permanent sutures and long‐term care are not needed. Unfortunately, both inflammatory responses and adverse local tissue reactions in the close‐to‐stitching environment are often reported for biodegradable polymeric sutures currently used by the medical community. While bioabsorbable metals are predominantly investigated and tested for vascular stent or osteosynthesis applications, they also appear to possess adequate biocompatibility, mechanical properties, and corrosion stability to replace biodegradable polymeric sutures. In this Review, biodegradable alloys made of iron, magnesium, and zinc are critically evaluated as potential materials for the manufacturing of soft and hard tissue sutures. In the case of soft tissue closing and stitching, these metals have to compete against currently available degradable polymers. In the case of hard tissue closing and stitching, biodegradable sternal wires could replace the permanent sutures made of stainless steel or titanium alloys. This Review discusses the specific materials and degradation properties required by all suture materials, summarizes current suture testing protocols and provides a well‐grounded direction for the potential future development of biodegradable metal based sutures.
Publication Title
Advanced Healthcare Materials
Recommended Citation
Seitz, J.,
Durisin, M.,
Goldman, J.,
&
Drelich, J.
(2015).
Recent advances in biodegradable metals for medical sutures: A critical review.
Advanced Healthcare Materials,
4(13), 1915-1936.
http://doi.org/10.1002/adhm.201500189
Retrieved from: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/michigantech-p/25
Publisher's Statement
© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim. Publisher's version of record: https://doi.org/10.1002/adhm.201500189