Although medical technology is constantly developing, there have been some recent breakthroughs in research and production of new products affecting the world of plastic and reconstructive surgery that show great promise, including:
- Novabel, a unique new injectable filler
- Endoform Dermal Template, a newly approved skin tissue substitute
- Fly-inspired surgical tape in research stages at the University of Utah
Novabel injectable filler
One of the most exciting recent innovations in cosmetic medicine is Novabel, the new dermal filler launched in Europe by German pharmaceutical company Merz. While most of today’s popular injectable fillers like Juvederm and Restylane are made of hyaluronic acid, Novabel is composed of an entirely unique substance extracted from marine brown algae.
From the algae, scientists created Geleons, spherical, flexible structures that reportedly make Novabel injections quite easy to administer and virtually pain-free.
The consistency of the patented Geleon technology purportedly makes Novabel ideal for filling areas of thin facial skin, such as the lower eyelids and tear troughs, and causes less swelling than other injectable dermal fillers.
Endoform Dermal Template skin substitute
Award-winning New Zealand research and development company Mesynthes recently announced the release of Endoform Dermal Template, a tissue substitute FDA-approved for wound care and dermal reconstruction.
The new sci-fi skin product will be ideal for repairing flesh wounds and tissue damage in reconstructive surgery patients who have been marred by severe burns or trauma from an accident. Endoform Dermal Template has the potential to replace skin grafting, or the process of transplanting skin from one body area to another, as the new gold standard in skin regeneration.
Endoform Dermal Template is composed of extracellular matrix material, which provides a unique mix of biological macromolecules that actively promote the cell regeneration and blood vessel formation to improve wound healing. This feat of biochemistry is what allows the product to effectively re-grow skin.
Decreased healing time is also a purported benefit of the Endoform Dermal Template product, which in turn promises shorter hospitals stays and decreased medical expense after reconstructive surgery, in addition to improved skin reconstruction results.
Due in large part to the FDA approval of the Endoform Dermal Template, another Mesynthes product called Endoform Infection Control is also on the fast track to receiving FDA approval. The Endoform Infection Control is designed to prevent post-operative infection in high risk cases.
Silk-spinning fly spawns plans for stronger surgical tape
Researchers at the University of Utah scientists believe that the silk spun by caddisfly larvae may inspire the development of a stronger surgical tape that closes incisions similarly to surgical sutures but is engineered to mimic the sort of “wet Band-Aid” properties achieved by the caddisfly’s silk.
This twist on “fly tape” would offer dramatically increased adhesive bond strength and would potentially lower incidence of suture failure in plastic surgery patients.
Eugene plastic surgeon Dr. Michael Workman is vigilant about staying up-to-date on the latest research and technology in the reconstructive and plastic surgery industry, as scientific discovery and innovation are an important part of providing patients with the most effective cutting-edge treatments designed to achieve the best aesthetic results.
