Development of a bio-resorbable self adhesive support matrix for gastointestinal surgery

Gastrointestinal resections are common general surgical procedures (6 million per year global). Surgery involves cutting out the tumour containing area, with subsequent stitching or stapling of the resected ends to reform the tube, this being defined as an anastomosis. Leakage at the site is a major complication of these operations, with catastrophic patient consequences includi9ng risk of death, coupled with costs of re-operation and intensive care stretching into tens of thousands of pounds. The reported rates of breakdown vary from 1% to 30% dependent on locality and other factors. Good surgical technique alone is also not a predictor of outcome anastomoses failing for a variety of reasons and there being few preventative measures. Surgeons tell us that if they could have a "belt and braces" adjunct to their surgery, "anything that would help them sleep at night" would be welcome. In fact some do use fibrin glues despite a lack of clinical evidence of their efficacy. Tissuemed's tissue sealant technology has been proven in other parts of the study and there are reasoned arguments that it can be modified to provide a support for the healing gut during the critical healing phase. This involves fine-tuning the chemistry to match the characteristics of the tissue, with the associated testing and regulatory work associated with medical device product development. This would be a breakthrough in reducing patient problems, the need for re-operations and associated dramatic costs.