title: Efficacy, safety, and biodegradation of a degradable scleral buckle of chitosan-gelatin polymer in rabbits.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy, safety, and biodegradation of chitosan-gelatin scleral buckles in rabbit eyes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Segmental scleral buckling was performed on the left eye of each rabbit. There were 40 rabbits in chitosan-gelatin group and 20 rabbits in silicone sponge group. B-scan ocular ultrasonography was used to evaluate buckling effect. Retinal function after implantation was evaluated by electroretinograms. Tissue reaction and biocompatibility was examined by histology. Scanning electron microscope was used to analyze structural changes after episcleral implantation. Degradation of chitosan-gelatin was assessed by mass loss.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Indentation of both implants decreased over time. However, the indentation created by chitosan-gelatin implant was lower than the silicone sponge one. Extrusion of implant was found in 20% eyes of silicone sponge group. Electroretinography revealed no detectable difference in retinal function between the two groups. Partially degraded chitosan-gelatin, newly formed capillaries, loose connective tissue, and some cell infiltration were found in chitosan-gelatin; however, only a slight cell infiltration was found in silicone sponge. Over a 9-month observation period, degradation rate of the chitosan-gelatin was about 36%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Chitosan-gelatin polymer was used effectively and safely as an implant for scleral buckling in a rabbit and showed good biodegradation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China.
authors.forename: Tingting
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Yumin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Rongrong
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001711:Biotransformation; D048271:Chitosan / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004596:Electroretinography; D005780:Gelatin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011108:Polymers / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011817:Rabbits; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012591:Scleral Buckling / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D011108:Polymers; D005780:Gelatin; D048271:Chitosan