Classes of Sealants (Base Materials)

Potential Applications

Strengths

Weaknesses

Ref

SYNTHETIC MATERIALS

Cyanoacrylate

Dermal applications; Wound closure; Hernia repair

Rapid polymerization; high adhesion strength

High toxicity of degradation by-products

23 - 25

Polyurethane

Orthopedic and renal surgery; Pancreatic occlusion; Vascular surgery

High elasticity; Moderate-high adhesion strength

Moderate toxicity of degradation by-products

26 - 29

Poly(ethylene glycol)

Cranial surgery; Spinal surgery; Retinal applications

Moderate adhesion strength; High biocompatibility; Soft tissue-like mechanical properties

Significant/uncontrolled swelling

30 - 32

NATURAL MATERIALS

Fibrin

Hemorrhage control; Wound closure

High biocompatibility; High hemostatic potential; Rapid curing in-situ

Low adhesion strength; High cost; Risk of disease transmission

33 - 36

Albumin/glutaraldehyde

Vascular surgery; Cardiac surgery; Lung surgery

Moderate adhesion strength; Rapid cross-linking

Toxicity of cross-linking agent; Moderate biocompatibility

37 - 39

Collagen/Gelatin

Lung surgery; Vascular surgery; Gastrointestinal surgery

Low risk of disease transmission; Low cost; Moderate-high adhesion strength

Toxicity of crossing-linking agent; Moderate biocompatibility (depending on formulation)

40 - 42

Polysaccharides (including dextran and chitosan)

Lung surgery; Hemorrhage control

Tunable polymer microstructure; High biocompatibility; Hemostatic potential

Moderate adhesion strength

15;19 - 20; 43 - 44