Polydimethylsiloxane Janus Adhesive Patch Constructed Based on Gradient Cross-Linking for Liver Injury Treatment.

Abstract

Hepatic rupture caused by trauma or resected liver tissue during surgery prohibits treatment success and tissue healing. Although hand-sewn sutures are the current standard of care, their use to close liver injuries has numerous challenges. In this study, we constructed a Janus adhesive patch using a one-step gradient cross-linking method that enables effective, rapid, robust, and suture-free repair of liver injuries. The patch features strong adhesiveness on one side and non-adhesiveness on the other, allowing effective adhesion to liver injury sites while preventing adhesion to healthy tissues. Furthermore, this patch exhibited excellent mechanical properties aligned with the requirements for tissue repair. We compared its repair effectiveness to sutures and commercially available tissue adhesives (FuAiLe: FAL) in a mouse liver injury model and evaluated its efficacy and repair performance through blood tests and histological analysis. This liver repair patch is a promising alternative for liver injury treatment and has potential for clinical applications in the repair of other organs.