An adhesive made from an enzyme found in snake venom may be a more effective and beneficial adhesive than traditional sutures when used to close surgical incisions, according to a study published in the October issue of Journal of Periodontology.
Researchers performed gingival graft procedures in contralateral mandibular premolars of 15 patients, so that each subject received one treatment of each type. When the investigators used the fibrin adhesive made of buffalo plasma–derived fibrinogen and a thrombinlike enzyme obtained from snake venom, patients experienced faster recovery and had better results than they did with traditional sutures.
"This unique type of adhesive may stimulate faster tissue repair," said study author Monica Barbosa, PhD, Bauru Dental School, University of São Paulo, Brazil. "It is a more natural form of adhesive in comparison to traditional sutures used after surgery.
"More studies are needed to fully evaluate the effectiveness of this alternative," Dr. Barbosa added.
"This adhesive may be a less infectious alternative to traditional sutures," said Preston D. Miller, president, American Academy of Periodontology. "This research highlights the array of therapies available for patients—both traditional and natural alternatives."
