Photocrosslinkable chitosan hydrogel as a wound dressing and a biological adhesive

Chitin and chitosan have been shown to accelerate wound healing, to have antibacterial properties, and to stimulate macrophages. We have prepared photocrosslinkable chitosan molecules which are easy to apply onto various kinds of wounds and produce insoluble hydrogel by a short ultraviolet (UV-) light irradiation. The chitosan hydrogel has been found to cover and protect various wounds and to accelerate healing. In addition, it effectively seals air leakage from incision on the lung and bleeding from the artery as a biological adhesive. Thus, the photocrosslinkable chitosan hydrogel may be a promising new dressing for wound occlusion and a tissue adhesive, especially suitable in situations requiring an urgent hemostasis in disaster medicine.