Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the performance characteristics of degradable polymer biomaterials and their application in the anti-adhesion after plastic surgery.
METHODS: The first author retrieved Wanfang database (http://www.wanfangdata.com.cn/) from January 1999 to December 2009 for the articles about degradable polymer biomaterials in the prevention of adhesion after plastic surgery, using key words of “hyaluronic acid and its derivatives; cellulose derivatives; chitosan; polylactic acid and its copolymers; plastic surgery; anti-adhesion; biological materials” in Chinese. Repeated study, review or Meta analysis articles were excluded.
RESULTS: According to inclusion and exclusion criteria, 21 articles were involved in the analysis. Degradable polymer biomaterials have good biocompatibility, biodegradability and absorbability. Hyaluronic acid can inhibit bleeding and has anti-inflammatory properties. Hyaluronic acid derivatives can make up for the shortcomings of hyaluronic acid such as vulnerability to degradation and diffusion, as well as short lifetime in vivo. Carboxymethyl cellulose has high thermal stability and high tissue adhesion, easy to operate. Oxidized regenerated cellulose is strongly adherent, requires no suture, but is prone to interference with blood. Chitosan has a hemostatic function, immunogenicity is small, non-toxic. Mechanical properties and chemical stability of polylactic acid and its copolymers are good, thus considered as the most promising biodegradable polymers. From the application view, hyaluronic acid and its derivatives, cellulose derivatives, chitosan, polylactic acid and its copolymers can effectively prevent postoperative adhesions of plastic surgery, indicating broad prospects for development.
CONCLUSION: Degradable polymer biomaterials have superior performances, effectively prevent postoperative adhesions of plastic surgery, with the possibility of clinical application.