Medical Applications of Rose Bengal‐ and Riboflavin‐Photosensitized Protein Crosslinking

Abstract This review summarizes research on many of the potential applications of photosensitized crosslinking of tissue proteins in surgery and current knowledge of the photochemical mechanisms underlying formation of the covalent protein–protein crosslinks involved. Initially developed to close wounds or reattach tissues, protein photocrosslinking has also been demonstrated to stiffen and strengthen tissues, decrease inflammatory responses and facilitate tissue bioengineering. These treatments appear to result largely from crosslinks within and between collagen molecules in tissue that typically form by an oxygen‐dependent mechanism. Surgical applications discussed include sealing wounds in skin, cornea and bowel; reattaching severed nerves, blood vessels and tendons; strengthening cornea and vein; reducing capsular contracture after breast implants; and regenerating joint cartilage.