Mixed Metal Oxide Nanoparticle Formulations for the Treatment of Seroma

Abstract

Seroma formation is a well-recognized postoperative complication for many plastic and general surgical procedures. Although various tissue adhesives and substances have been used in an effort to treat seroma formation, no therapies have been established clinically. Recently, the nano-bridging phenomenon has been introduced as a promising approach to achieve tissue adhesion and strong closure of deep skin wounds in rats. The present study seeks to assess the potential of nano-bridging beyond skin wounds in a rat model of seroma. Seromas were induced in 20 Lewis rats through bilateral axillary lymphadenectomy, excision of the latissimus dorsi and cutaneous maximus muscles, and disruption of dermal lymphatics. On postoperative day (POD) 7, the seroma was aspirated on both sides. A bioactive nanoparticle (NP) suspension based on zinc-doped strontium-substituted bioglass/ceria nanoparticles (NP group) or fibrin glue (fibrin group) was injected into the right seroma cavity, while the left side was left untreated. On POD 14, the NP group showed complete remission (no seromas at all), while the fibrin group recorded a reduction of only 63% in the seroma fluid volume. The NPs exerted local antiinflammatory and neo-angiogenic effects, without any detectable systemic changes. Moreover, the ceria levels recorded in the organs did not surpass the background level, indicating that the nanoparticles stayed at the site of application. This study is a promising first example demonstrating the ability of inorganic nanoparticle formulations to reduce seroma formation in a rat model, without any detectable systemic adverse effects. These results emphasize the potential of nanotechnological solutions in the therapeutic management of seroma in the clinical setting.

Management of Postoperative Seroma: Recommendations Based on a 12-Year Retrospective Study

“…Recent focus has been put on Bioglass/Ceria nanoparticles in the treatment of seromas, with significant results in early seroma reduction having been found within an experimental preclinical setting in a rat model constructed by our group. Yet, the long-term effects of nano-bridging in reducing seroma formation, and the exact mechanism of action behind it, still need to be fully understood before conducting clinical trials [ 11 ]. Other non-surgical strategies include serial aspiration and drainage.…”

“…Treatment options in seroma management include serial aspirations; the application of sclerosing agents in the seroma cavity, such as doxycycline, bleomycin, or nanoparticles; surgical marsupialization or excision/debridement of the seroma capsule; and drainage. However, no single ideal treatment option has been proven to guarantee the therapeutic outcome, and most patients require frequent percutaneous aspirations in an outpatient setting until no further recurrence of seroma formation is clinically present [ 10 , 11 ]. Certainly, the risk of infection with every attempt at seroma aspiration must be considered and communicated to the patients accordingly.…”

The role of ligand shell density in the diffusive behavior of nanoparticles in hydrogels

“…In practice, however, NPs are diverse in their compositions, 48 sizes, 49 shapes, 50,51 and surface chemistries. [52][53][54] They are also typically functionalized with small molecules and/or polymers that form a ligand shell around the NP core.…”

Coatings of hydroxyapatite–bioactive glass microparticles for adhesion to biological tissues

“…Interaction between BG particles and so collagen tissues was also reported in vitro, 20 and the potential of BG particles for so tissue regeneration was reviewed several times. [21][22][23] The use of BG particles for adhesion by particle bridging was reported in recent papers, 6,24 where suspensions of bioactive glass in combination with ceria particles demonstrated adhesive properties and permitted to glue skin tissues, ex vivo and in vivo.…”