(UroToday.com) Dr. Yan Li presented a novel adhesive hydrogel patch designed for suture-free renal wound closure following partial nephrectomy. Conventional renorrhaphy techniques may prolong ischemia time and contribute to tissue injury and postoperative bleeding. The investigators developed a cohesion-interfacial enhanced hydrogel patch intended to provide rapid hemostasis while maintaining strong adhesion in wet surgical environments.
The patch was fabricated using ultraviolet polymerization and directional anneal-casting techniques and subsequently evaluated using ex vivo porcine tissue and in vivo rat renal injury models. Mechanical testing demonstrated strong adhesive performance, with high interfacial toughness, shear strength, and burst pressure resistance. Notably, the patch retained nearly 70% of its adhesive strength after prolonged underwater immersion.
In-vivo application of the hydrogel patch resulted in rapid hemostasis, reduced bleeding volume, shorter operative times, and improved wound healing compared with conventional closure methods. Histologic analysis demonstrated enhanced tissue repair and regeneration following patch application.
Figure 1. Cohesion-interfacial enhanced adhesive hydrogel patch used during partial nephrectomy, demonstrating strong adhesion, rapid hemostasis, and improved tissue repair in fluid-rich surgical environments.
Dr. Li and colleagues emphasized that the patch may reduce reliance on suturing during nephron-sparing surgery while minimizing ischemia-related tissue injury. Dr. Li concluded that this bioengineered hydrogel technology represents a promising alternative for renal wound repair and other soft tissue reconstruction applications.
During the discussion session, an audience member asked whether the patch would maintain adhesive integrity in larger renal defects or prolonged urinary exposure conditions. Dr. Li noted that the hydrogel was specifically engineered for fluid-rich environments and demonstrated durable adhesive performance during extended underwater testing.
Presented by: Yan Li, PhD, Shandong University, China
Written by: Ian Ong, Junior Specialist, Department of Urology, University of California, Irvine