Front Page | World | UK | UK Politics | Business | Sci/Tech | Health | Education | Entertainment | Talking Point | High Graphics | AudioVideo | Feedback | Help | Noticias | Newyddion |
BBC Sport>> High Graphics | BBC SPORT>>
Front Page | World | UK | UK Politics | Business | Sci/Tech | Health | Education | Entertainment | Talking Point | AudioVideo |
Health Contents: Background Briefings | Medical notes |

BBC News Online: Health


Thursday, 26 October, 2000, 07:02 GMT 08:02 UK

Gel 'heals wounds without scars'


operating theatre
A new spray has been developed to heal wounds made inside the body during surgery without scarring.

The spray gel forms a bright blue "sticking plaster" and stops tissues sticking together to form painful scars.

One of the advantages of the new dressing is that it can be used during keyhole surgery, which is now commonly preferred to open surgery techniques.

The company which has developed the gel, Confluent Surgical in Massachusetts, says that 60 patients have so far been treated with it.

The gel is made up of two liquids which, when sprayed together, solidify to form a bright blue material which breaks down gradually over about a week.

In open surgery, biodegradable dressing sheets can be applied to internal wounds, but there has been little available to help wound healing in keyhole surgery patients.



It would be very beneficial if the same technology could be applied to internal wounds
Vanessa Jones, Wound Healing Research Unit

The pain and discomfort of internal adhesions due to surgical scarring can often require a further operation.

The spray, made from polyethylene glycol, is now undergoing clinical trials in Germany and France as well as the US.

Head of Confluent Surgical, Amarpreet Sawhney told New Scientist that the gel may also have the potential to halt tumour growth by cutting off its blood supply.

"We're talking about mechanical anti-angiogenesis. We can shut off every street or alley supplying the tumour," he said.

External wounds

Vanessa Jones, senior lecturer at the Wound Healing Research Unit at the University of Wales College of Medicine, said the gel seemed to be using technology which is currently applied to external wounds.

"These products have been used extremely successfully to cover external wounds to ensure moist wound healing and avoid allergic reaction," she said.

"It would be very beneficial if the same technology could be applied to internal wounds."

There are benefits to laparoscopic surgery in terms of reduced time and trauma, but there have been difficulties in managing the wounds, she added.


Related to this story:
Surgery technique could save wombs (26 Jun 00 | Health) Scientists hail bone putty (24 Aug 00 | Health) Stress slows healing (13 Apr 00 | Health) Keyhole surgery 'boosts' organ donation (08 Apr 00 | Health) Hi-tech dressing may 'eradicate scars' (05 Jan 00 | Health) 'Active' dressings could speed healing (01 Jul 00 | Health)


Internet links: Royal College of Surgeons | Wound Healing Research Unit | New Scientist |
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites
Front Page | World | UK | UK Politics | Business | Sci/Tech | Health | Education | Entertainment | Talking Point | High Graphics | AudioVideo | Feedback | Help | Noticias | Newyddion |
BBC Sport>> High Graphics | BBC SPORT>>
Front Page | World | UK | UK Politics | Business | Sci/Tech | Health | Education | Entertainment | Talking Point | AudioVideo |
Health Contents: Background Briefings | Medical notes |

Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage | ©