Researchers Create a Fast-Sealing Surgical “Glue” for Closing Wounds

Researchers have just developed a new type of sealant that meets all the requirements of an effective surgical tool: Northeastern University says that their hydrogel, MeTro, is ideal, being that it is elastic, adhesive, non-toxic, and biocompatible. It's created with proteins similar to those that make up elastin in humans and sets in just 60 seconds with the help of a UV light.

MeTro was tested in rats by using it to seal incisions in arteries and punctures in lungs. It was also able to successfully seal wounds in pig lungs even during repeated inflations and deflations. The next step is to test the sealant in people. "The potential applications are powerful, from treating serious internal wounds at emergency sites such as following car accidents and in war zones, as well as improving hospital surgeries," said Anthony Weiss, a researcher at the University of Sydney and an author of the study.

They should call it superer glue

Finally, I can safely glue my dick to my stomach.

I have "stitched up" my kids with liquid band-aid for years. I use Super Glue on my own skin, but the stuff burns like hell!

This reminds me of "meat glue" which butchers use to seamlessly glue meat chunks into whole steaks. Sure you don't used UV light to target the wound area or it might hurt like hell, but they so do instant clotting agents.

Wasn't that the original use for Crazy Glue?

nilepez said:

Wasn't that the original use for Crazy Glue?

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Yeah, but it seems this might be used for internal sealing in schedule surgeries as well? I don't think cyanoacrylate (super/crazy glue) is typically used internally unless it's an emergency.

Seen super glue used in the field for this a few times, still have a scar on my arm from super glue fixing lol, looked a bit weird for 2-3 years but looks like any other scar now

When I had my bypass a few years ago I had exactly 1 visible stitch which was used to tie the temporary pacemaker wires in place. Everything else was glued closed externally.

I had something similar when i had to get 'stitches' for a wound next to my eye. Due to the location being in such a prominent location they recommended a liquid glue stitch. The only issue is that the skin underneath isn't breathable and doesn't get oxygen to heal naturally, as it would in between stitches, causing degradation to the area. The glue held up for over a week, even through a few careful showers (exposed to very hot steam) and summer sweat. Unfortunately beneath the 'glue stitches' the skin started to get a little whtie/greyish color and was clearly irritated by not having any oxygen and/or the ability to directly apply any medicine or cleaning. I'm a health nut so it wasn't due to malnutrition or lack of fitness. While I don't have a physical indentation on my face where the scar is, there is a very mild darking line that is consistent with other scars that I have. Unlike other scars it has a red color, not the typical white streak of my other scars. It's also a little bit wider than it would have been if i had gotten stitches that physically tied and bound the two skin sections together tightly.

I have also used super glue more than once to stitch up a friend after a night of drinking, and can attest to its effectiveness for emergency care.

With any benefit you must always balance the risks and potential, especially when modifying the human body. Depending on the location of the injury, and given the situation it occurs in (say military in nature) this type of quick fix that essentially anyone could perform might be the difference in reducing bleeding or making an injury manageable enough to make it to more specialized treatment. Another tool for first responders to have in their arsenal is always welcome.

maclem8223 said:

Superglue and duct tape = Neosporin and bandaid.

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Neosporin? That's for wimps. Real men (women too?) just dump alcohol (many different kinds will do) and enjoy the burn like a badge of honor.

nilepez said:

Wasn't that the original use for Crazy Glue?

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Crazy Glue (CA glue) is the same thing as surgical glue. As Kyle notes, Crazy Glue burns like @#$@# because it sets so quick. It takes the moisture of the body and it creates an exothermic reaction. That's why CA sticks to your fingers so quick (the oils). Surgical glue/suture glue is a slower setting form of CA so it doesn't burn. But most liquid bandage you buy today is a combination of acetates. I know surgical/suture glue has been used at least since Vietnam.

I had an emergency appendectomy 3 years ago and they glued the orthoscopic incisions wounds up. I still have little scars but no sutures to remove. They even put a top coat of sealant on it so I could shower, and it dissolved by itself in a week.

Yup we use Dermabond for surgical wounds that can be easily approximated instead of sutures whenever possible like the trocar incisions of laparoscopic or daVinci robot surgeries or depending on the skill of the surgeon even for appendectomies. This new glue seems to be usable for internal wounds which is pretty exciting.

By the way Dermabond is NOT the same as crazy glue, be careful when using it to treat yourself. Crazy glue can cause second degree burns on the skin when in contact with cotton fabric/gauze, etc as it generates a reaction that generates heat.