The closure apparatus between the gallbladder and small intestine is frequently injured during gallbladder surgeries. So far, however, there has been no surgical option to bridge tissue defects. Now, a novel implant made of bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) could change this. Its nanofiber network makes it extremely robust so that it is able to take on a supporting function. In this interview with MEDICA-tradefair.com, Dr. Falk Rauchfuß, Department Head of General, Visceral and Vascular Surgery, Jena University Hospital, explains how BNC implants can be adapted to the individual patient and what properties nanocellulose exhibits in the body.
Dr. Falk Rauchfuß: One serious complication that can occur during a routine gallbladder removal is the transection of the bile duct. Disturbed blood flow or tissue defects might occur during liver transplants. So far, we don’t have a surgical option to reasonably bridge major substance defects in the bile duct. That is to say, we inevitably need to connect the intestine and the part of the bile duct that faces the liver. The natural sphincter apparatus is thus rendered immobile. Especially with transplant patients, germs subsequently often ascend from the small intestine to the liver and cause inflammation. This in turn means that the patient frequently receives expensive antibiotic therapies. ...
Read the complete interview at MEDICA-tradefair.com!