Injectable Adhesive Hydrogels for Soft tissue Reconstruction: A Materials Chemistry Perspective

Injectable bioadhesives offer several advantages over conventional staples and sutures in surgery to seal and close incisions or wounds. Despite the growing research in recent years few injectable bioadhesives are available for clinical use. This review summarizes the key chemical features that enable the development and improvements in the use of polymeric injectable hydrogels as bioadhesives or sealants, their design requirements, the gelation mechanism, synthesis routes, and the role of adhesion mechanisms and strategies in different biomedical applications. It is envisaged that developing a deep understanding of the underlying materials chemistry principles will enable researchers to effectively translate bioadhesive technologies into clinically-relevant products.

Automated summary

Injectable bioadhesives have advantages in surgery. This review summarizes the key features, design requirements, gelation mechanism, synthesis routes, and role of adhesion mechanisms and strategies in different biomedical applications of polymeric injectable hydrogels as bioadhesives or sealants. Deep understanding of the underlying materials chemistry principles can facilitate the translation of bioadhesive technologies into clinically-relevant products.