PEG-based polyurethane bioadhesive for wet and adaptable adhesion to circumcision wounds

Abstract Effective wound management is critical in post-operative recovery, particularly in sensitive areas such as circumcision. The aim of this study was to design and assess the efficacy of a novel two-component polyurethane (PU) bioadhesive, designated as PU1000S, for its application in advanced wound care within the context of clinical circumcision procedures. The glue-type bioadhesive was fine-tuned to conformally adhere to the moist tissue surfaces. It rapidly absorbed interfacial water and cured within 160 s, ensuring remarkable surface adaptability to wet tissue surfaces. The PU1000S demonstrated superior lap-shear strength, peaking at 55.12 ± 6.88 kPa, along with exceptional durability. These attributes underscored its strong wet adhesion and remarkable resilience at the interface with moist tissues. Owing to its mechanical adaptability to wet skin tissue, the adhesive layer of PU1000S maintained stability under complex loading associated with twisting, folding and significant volumetric deformation, resulting in minimal debonding. In addition, PU1000S was found to significantly accelerate wound healing by promoting re-epithelialization and collagen deposition, confirming its excellent bioadaptability for initial closure and subsequent tissue repair and regeneration following circumcision. The comprehensive results position PU1000S as a promising candidate for advanced wound care in circumcision, offering superior performance in terms of wet adhesion, durability, and bioadaptability. Its application could potentially enhance clinical outcomes and elevate patient satisfaction.