Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Chitosan can prevent adhesion, and be made into different forms, such as gel, solution, sponge-like and thin films, etc., but the solution and the gel flow easily, and it is difficult to form a high local concentration, while simple chitosan-made sponge and thin films have insufficient mechanical strength and toughness.
OBJECTIVE: To prepare a kind of carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCH)-carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) crosslinked film with fine physical and biologic properties for postoperative anti-adhesion.
METHODS: CMCH-CMC film were prepared successfully at different ratios of CMCH and CMC, glutaraldehyde and ammonium aluminium sulfate cross-linked, followed by glycerin plasticity. The formula was chosen through orthogonal experimental design according to film color, tensile strength, breaking elongation, swelling ratio, water absorption ratio, touching angle. The preparation techniques were optimized and the preparation procedure was determined. The physiochemical characteristics of the film sample were detected through scanning electron microscopy and infrared spectrum. The biodegradable time of the film in SD rats was observed.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The optimized formula was as follows: the ratio of CMCH to CMC was 1: 1; the concentration of ammonium aluminium sulfate, glycerin, and glutaraldehyde was 0.15%, 0.8%, 0.003 0% respectively. The obtained film was yellowish, translucent, at the thickness of 0.09 mm. The water absorption ratio of the prepared film was 964%, the swelling ratio was 3.25; the maximal tensile strength was 20 MPa in dry state while 5 MPa in wet state; the touching angle was averagely 35°. There are some strong interactions and good compatibility between CMCH and CMC molecules in the cross-linked film. The morphology of CMCH-CMC film had crossed fibroid structure with irregular porous structures at the surface. The CMCH-CMC film placed in rats hydrated to a gel within 10 days and absorbed completely at the site 1 month later. The CMCH-CMC film has good biocompatibility, biodegradability, and feasible strength that could be sutured.