Degradable Metallic Polymer Composites for Surgical Use
University of Pittsburgh researchers have developed novel degradable bulk metallic magnesium/polymer composite barrier membranes (MPCBMs) for surgical use. Unlike titanium membranes traditionally used in bone grafts, MPCBMs degrade with time after insertion, removing the need for follow-up surgery to remove the membrane, and have flexible geometry ensuring a snug fit in the body. As the release of magnesium enhances bone regeneration, MPCBMs could substantially improve dental, craniomaxillofacial, orthopaedic, and other surgical care.
Description
Titanium meshes and membranes are commonly used in a variety of patient treatments such as bone grafting material and can protect bone defects from further damage during dental surgery. These membranes require surgical removal and lack flexibility, limiting the benefit to the patient. The development of degradable, moldable membranes with comparable mechanical strength to titanium membranes, could present a clinical benefit to patients, reducing the need for additional surgeries and the associated costs, inconvenience and risks.Applications
• Craniofacial or dental repair• Hernia repair
• Guided bone regeneration
Advantages
There are many shortcomings to the commonly used titanium membranes. The greatest is the lack of degradation which requires costly surgical removal and exposes the patient to risks associated with anesthesia and surgery, including infection and pain. Surgical removal is particularly common in pediatric cases as the titanium membranes can limit bone growth. Additionally, these membranes can suffer from high exposure and wound dehiscence rates, requiring additional clinical intervention. Titanium membranes are also commonly used in the treatment of bones with complex geometry (e.g., skull, mandible etc.) However, the limited flexibility of titanium membranes can hinder a tight fight over concave shapes.These first-of-a-kind MPCBMs can overcome many limitations of titanium membranes. MPCBMs are degradable which removes the need for surgical extraction, and flexible to closely fit complex bone geometries. Finally, as the membrane degrades, magnesium is released which has been shown to promote bone regeneration at the periosteal interface.