First clinical results after surgical tumor resection and reconstructionwith degradable polymeric materials

The use of degradable polymeric implant materials for defect closure after tumor surgical resection in the area of the upper aerodigestive tract instead of skin muscle flaps would represent a novel therapeutical option in oncological head and neck surgery. Successful coverage of the defect with polymeric implant materials would not only reduce surgical morbidity but also improve swallowing and speech function in comparison to skin muscle flaps.

In 2 patients so far, after in sano resection of a T2 lateral tongue carcinoma, the defect zone was covered with SUPRATHEL in a special modification as "Suprathel 250" as an off-label use. SUPRATHEL as well as "Suprathel 250" are innovative biodegradable microporous membranes approved for alloplastic skin replacement for the treatment of epidermal and dermal wounds. SUPRATHEL and the "Suprathel 250" have comparable properties in terms of elasticity, water vapor permeability and bacterial impermeability.

According to initial clinical experience in the enoral environment, the biodegradable microporous membrane has sufficient chemical, enzymatic and bacterial stability. After "SUPRATHEL 250" defect coverage of the lateral tongue defect, regular wound healing as well as good articulation and swallowing ability were observed.

In a next step, the use of "SUPRATHEL 250" (a CE/FDA approved medical device in the same application spectrum as SUPRATHEL) will be validated for oral and oropharyngeal application in larger studies.

If the presented applications continue to be positive, this would be a promising development of novel therapeutical approaches in oncological head and neck surgery.

Conflict of Interest

The author declares that there is no conflict of interest.

Publication History

Article published online:
24 May 2022