Researchers have come up with an innovative adhesive, Kryptonite, which can mend broken breastbone to provide access to the heart during open-heart surgery.

 

The adhesive bonds to the bone pretty quickly and accelerates the recovery process.

"We can now heal the breastbone in hours instead of weeks after open-heart surgery."

"Patients can make a full recovery after surgery and get back to full physical activities in days instead of months," says Paul W.M. Fedak.

Fedak is a cardiac surgeon at Foothills Medical Centre and scientist at the faculty of medicine, University of Calgary, who initiated the new procedure. Fedak and Kathryn King are the co-principal investigators of the research.

King, a cardiovascular nurse scientist, is a specialist in post-operative recovery after open-heart surgery.

"Being able to resume normal activities is a hallmark of good recovery; this surgical innovation should enable that," says King.

According to University of Calgary release, the patients have considerably less pain and discomfort after surgery and the use of strong pain killers, such as narcotics, is greatly reduced if not completely ruled out with use of the procedure.

Richard Cuming's chest was mended in June with the help of Kryptonite. Two years earlier he had open-heart surgery - sewing his breastbone back together with wires. The wires broke, his breastbone opened, and Cuming had a tough time.

After his chest was fixed using Kryptonite adhesive and wires he had felt completely different. "I had a little bit of pain, but this was a walk in the park compared to my earlier recovery. I can do anything I could do prior to the original surgery. I feel wonderful," said Cuming.

Kryptonite is endorsed for use in Canada, the US and Europe.