Paclitaxel-Releasing Thin Biodegradable Film for Prevention of Bleb Avascularity Without Compromising Filtration in Rabbits.

Purpose: A honeycomb-patterned film (HPF) prevents bleb scarring and mitomycin C (MMC)-related bleb avascularity in a rabbit model of filtration surgery. In this study, we examined whether a HPF-releasing paclitaxel (PTX) can prevent bleb avascularity without compromising filtration.

Methods: Filtration surgery was performed in one eye of rabbits.

A new nerve coaptation technique using a biodegradable honeycomb-patterned film.

We developed a biodegradable poly-lactide (PLA) film with a honeycomb-patterned porous structure (honeycomb film). This study investigated the use of this film in neurorrhaphy. Three types of PLA film were tested following bilateral sciatic nerve transection and neurorrhaphy in 35 rats: 7- and 10-μm thick honeycomb films, and cast film with no porous structures.

Suppression of avascular bleb formation by a thin biodegradable film in a rabbit filtration surgery with mitomycin C.

Background: Avascularity of the bleb is regarded as a risk of bleb infection, which is the most serious complication after filtration surgery with mitomycin C (MMC). There is no perfect way to prevent avascular bleb formation. We hypothesized that keeping the conjunctiva away from direct exposure to aqueous filtration may suppress avascular bleb formation after filtration surgery with MMC.

Artificial perineurium to enhance nerve recovery from damage after neurolysis.

We have developed a novel biodegradable poly-lactide (PLA) film (honeycomb film) with a micropatterned porous structure on one side. We hypothesized that this film could be used as a substitute for perineurium. We used two types of thin PLA film: honeycomb film and cast film with smooth surfaces on both sides.

A thin honeycomb-patterned film as an adhesion barrier in an animal model of glaucoma filtration surgery.

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a thin honeycomb-patterned biodegradable film for glaucoma filtration surgery in rabbits.

Methods: A 7 microm-thick film made from poly(L-lactide-co-epsilon-caprolactone) was placed in the subconjunctival space in one eye of rabbits, with or without full thickness filtration surgery. The film had a honeycomb-patterned surface that faced the subconjunctival Tenon tissue and the other side was smooth.

Prevention of postoperative adhesions by a novel honeycomb-patterned poly(lactide) film in a rat experimental model.

Intraperitoneal adhesion is a serious problem concerning abdominal surgery. This study evaluated the performance of a honeycomb-patterned poly(lactide) (HCPLA) film as a physical barrier for preventing postoperative adhesion. HCPLA films were prepared using dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE) or a copolymer of dodecylacrylamide and omega-carboxyhexylacrylamide (CAP) as a surfactant (HCPLA-DOPE and HCPLA-CAP, respectively).

Development of a novel temporary epicardial pacing wire with biodegradable film.

Purpose: A temporary epicardial pacing wire (TEPW) has been routinely placed in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. However, its fixation or removal occasionally causes troublesome complications. The aim of this study is to develop a novel TEPW using biodegradable film to fix the electrode to the epicardium without needle stabbing.

Biodegradable honeycomb-patterned film composed of poly(lactic acid) and dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine.

Honeycomb-patterned films have been reported to be useful for scaffolds of cell culture in tissue engineering. In the present study, we investigated a new compound, dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE), a naturally derived phospholipid having unsaturated fatty acid moieties, as a surfactant for fabricating honeycomb-patterned poly(d,l-lactide) (PLA) film. Only DOPE among commercially available phospholipids was useful as a surfactant, and it showed good solubility in PLA/chloroform solution and an excellent property for fabricating honeycomb-patterned film (the concentration of DOPE was from 0.