Microchannelled alkylated chitosan sponge to treat noncompressible hemorrhages and facilitate wound healing

Developing an anti-infective shape-memory hemostatic sponge able to guide in situ tissue regeneration for noncompressible hemorrhages in civilian and battlefield settings remains a challenge. Here we engineer hemostatic chitosan sponges with highly interconnective microchannels by combining 3D printed microfiber leaching, freeze-drying, and superficial active modification. We demonstrate that the microchannelled alkylated chitosan sponge (MACS) exhibits the capacity for water and blood absorption, as well as rapid shape recovery. We show that compared to clinically used gauze, gelatin sponge, CELOX (TM), and CELOX (TM) -gauze, the MACS provides higher pro-coagulant and hemostatic capacities in lethally normal and heparinized rat and pig liver perforation wound models. We demonstrate its anti-infective activity against S. aureus and E. coli and its promotion of liver parenchymal cell infiltration, vascularization, and tissue integration in a rat liver defect model. Overall, the MACS demonstrates promising clinical translational potential in treating lethal noncompressible hemorrhage and facilitating wound healing. Developing effective treatments for noncompressible hemorrhages remains a challenge. Here the authors engineer alkylated chitosan sponges with highly interconnective microchannels and demonstrate anti-infective activity, as well as higher pro-coagulant, hemostatic and wound healing capacities compared to clinically-used materials in rat and pig liver models.

Automated summary

Researchers have developed an alkylated chitosan sponge with highly interconnective microchannels, demonstrating its advantages in anti-infective, pro-coagulant, hemostatic, and wound healing capacities, making it suitable for treating noncompressible hemorrhages.