Animus Surgical has launched a new hydrogel wound sealant Membra which they believe is set to revolutionise the management of open wounds and protect suture lines.
Membra is a transparent, non-toxic and biodegradable bandage replacement consisting of a hydrogel polymer which can be applied to open wounds.
It is initially applied as a liquid and quickly gels into a thin flexible “solid” layer over the site.
The initial liquid phase of Membra allows it to cover open and irregular spaces as well as suture lines.
The hydrogel wound sealant dries in minutes to form a barrier that protects and covers the incision site or wound.
Membra is water resistant and can be used across a wide range of species, including horses, companion animals and aquatics.
It lasts for up to 14 days and naturally biodegrades over time, reducing the need for bandaging.
Membra not only lowers the risk of infection or dehiscence but it is transparent, enabling the wound to be visualised by the veterinary team and pet owners.
Hydrogel polymer application has been shown to successfully replace the need for adhesive bandaging on suture lines following major TPLO surgery. A study concluded that the polymer did not appear to raise the prevalence of incisional complications after TPLO surgery and lasts for 14 days, rather than 24 to 48 hours with traditional bandaging.
“Regular bandaging of open wounds can be costly, time consuming and stressful for owners and their pets, requiring frequent visits to the practice.
“The bandaging of some open wounds can be impossible because of the location of the lesion or the affected species (eg exotic or aquatic animals) and more aggressive or nervous patients may require sedation.
“Used bandages also add to the volume of clinical waste generated by the practice which requires incineration,” comments Nick Butcher, veterinary surgeon and owner of Animus Surgical in the UK. “We are therefore delighted to launch Membra to veterinary teams in the U.K.
“It has been very successful in the U.S. and we already have a number of U.K. vets using the product as Membra can positively affect the outcome of open wound management across a range of species, without the need for regular bandage changes.”
To find out how to apply Membra, a range of YouTube videos are available showing a selection of case examples.
For any further information about Membra, please visit their website or call Animus Surgical on 01252 845988.
