In a study published on October 8 in “Nature Communications”, a team of Chinese researchers describes a new suture thread, capable of self-electrifying with movement: their results show that it reduces healing time and the risk of infection.
After an operation or to treat a deep wound, stitches are the classic treatment for a large incision. Their interest: to seal the skin to facilitate healing and avoid any complications – infection and inflammation in particular. However, even if they have been used for a long time, current sutures “do not always succeed” to be effective on these two aspects, underlined on October 8 a Chinese team in Nature Communications. This is why these researchers, particularly from Donghua University in Shanghai, sought to develop a new type of stitches, which they present in their article: threads capable of self-electrifying and thus Accelerate wound healing.
The idea of using an electrical charge – very light – is not completely new: it has already been proven that its use around a wound can accelerate the regeneration of skin tissue. Several mechanisms can explain it, some still requiring more detailed understanding, but the main lesson is this: the method makes it possible to stimulate the movement of cells towards the open area and therefore help resorb the wound.
The team developed these new points from a magnesium wire, surrounded by a biodegradable sheath. No need for a battery to activate its action: the points “convert the mechanical energy of movement into electrical stimulation”describe the authors of the study. In other words, a simple movement, which moves the wound and tightens the stitches, is enough to create the electrical charge which itself stimulates the cells to regenerate the skin.
Painless and 50% faster process
And now movement, which usually risks compromising the effectiveness of traditional stitches, becomes an asset. And this completely painlessly. “The benefits are twofold, since there is no need for an external electrical application or battery-operated systems, and the material is degradable in situ”enthuses as an observer the doctor of biomedical sciences Karen Wright answering the questions of the Guardian.
The Chinese team tested their innovation in the laboratory, where they observed that it “promotes cell proliferation and migration to accelerate wound repair and reduce the risk of infection”. She then tested it on rats with muscular injuries. Similar observations: those treated with electrified wires healed “about 50% faster”. Their wounds were almost completely healed after ten days – unlike those who had not had sutures or the more traditional stitches. Scientists also detected fewer bacteria in rats treated with the new dots. What “suggests that the electrical stimulation provided by the wire may produce an antimicrobial effect during the wound healing process”. Another major interest, therefore, because fewer bacteria means less risk of infection, and therefore of postoperative complications – a common pet peeve of surgeons.
From a resistance point of view, this new thread has shown that it is just as strong as conventional threads. And its production cost does not seem higher. So many arguments to qualify these results as promising. But, like any scientific innovation, we will have to be patient before seeing this innovation used in hospitals: tests have only just begun in humans. They should last two years.
