Preliminary biocompatibility experiment of polymer films for laser-assisted tissue welding

Background and Objectives The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of a polymer film for liquid solder strength reinforcement on the short term healing of a wound closed by laser‐tissue soldering. Materials and Methods Full thickness incisions created on the dorsum of Sprague–Dawley rats were closed by laser‐tissue soldering: albumin solder with Indocyanine Green (ICG) dye was inserted between the incision edges and photothermally coagulated with a diode laser. A poly(DL‐lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) polymer film was implanted subcutaneously in the bottom of the incision (controls had no film). Specimens were harvested at 0, 3, 7, and 14 days for breaking strength testing and histological analysis. Results Breaking strengths of the controls at 0 and 14 days were statistically stronger than the specimens with the implanted films (t‐test, P