Kryptonite glue helps breastbone heal after surgery (Canada)

A glue that rapidly bonds with bone can speed up recovery of the breastbone after surgeons intentionally break it during open-heart surgery, researchers in Calgary have found. As part of a pilot study, cardiac surgeon Dr. Paul Fedak of Foothills Medical Centre and the University of Calgary used the adhesive polymer, called Kryptonite, on more than 20 patients. "If we can change what people are doing to benefit patients around the world and this really does change the standard of care, then I know we've done something really significant with this work, and that would be the ultimate goal," said Fedak. The new adhesive heals the breastbone in hours, instead of weeks, after surgery, without sticking to surrounding tissues. Patients reported far less pain and discomfort after surgery and did not need as much strong pain medication, such as narcotics, the team found. - CBC