Laryngeal Microsurgery - Characterization of Magnesium-Based Microclips for Wound Closure

Abstract

The focus of my research was on characterization of magnesium-based microclips in laryngeal microsurgeries. Polycaprolactone (PCL) coating was employed to adjust the degradation rate of magnesium in simulated in-vitro degradation tests and for in-vivo porcine experiments.

Results from in-vitro tests revealed that uncoated magnesium samples corroded within a week, with a weight loss between 50%-80% of its initial mass. A sample coated with a 2wt% film of PCL demonstrated mass stability, with ~30% of weight loss at the end of 2nd week. Experiments demonstrated that PCL coated magnesium samples exhibited better corrosion resistance to pure magnesium samples.

Histological results from in-vivo experiments also reveal that both magnesium and PCL coated microclips exhibit adequate healing results for laryngeal microsurgery within the latter having better healing outcomes as compared to the former. The experiments demonstrated the potential for PCL clips to be developed as a measure of wound closure intervention in laryngeal microsurgeries.