The primary components of medical tissue adhesives are α-cyanoacrylates, which were first synthesized following World War II. In 1972, the U.S. FDA approved the use of isobutyl α-cyanoacrylate for medical applications.
The toxicity of medical tissue adhesives can be mitigated through methods such as chemical modification and by enhancing the purity of the constituent monomers.
Nanoscale drug delivery technologies-such as electrospinning-can further reduce toxic side effects associated with medical tissue adhesives, such as inflammation.
Cytotoxicity testing for medical tissue adhesives requires the selection of appropriate methodologies based on established standards; examples include the extract method, direct contact method, and indirect contact method. It is important to note that the specific testing methodology employed may influence the interpretation of the resulting toxicity assessments.
Medical adhesives play a critical role in securing wound care dressings and medical devices; the majority of currently available medical adhesives are composed of acrylates, hydrocolloids, and silicones. Currently, research into a new generation of adhesives is focusing on natural biomaterials (known as "bio-adhesives") and on mimicking natural adhesion mechanisms-such as hydrogen bonding and van der Waals forces-to create "naturally inspired adhesives." These research efforts are centered on developing advanced medical adhesives designed to prevent medical adhesive-related skin injuries (MARSI) and address associated health complications.
