Fabrication and Characterization of Biodegradable Ultrafine Fibrous Sheets with Improved Tissue Adhesion Properties for Preventing Lung Air Leakage

Prolonged air leakage after pulmonary surgery is a common complication that can lead to extended chest tube drainage, prolonged hospitalization, and severe clinical outcomes such as tension pneumothorax. In this study, biodegradable PHB/TA ultrafine fibrous sheets were fabricated by electrospinning to prevent pulmonary air leakage. Tannic acid was incorporated into PHB to improve fiber morphology, hydrophilicity, and tissue adhesion. In addition, the PHB/TA fibrous sheets were further modified with Az-NHS through a photo-immobilization process to induce covalent bonding with lung tissues. As the TA content increased, the fiber morphology became more uniform and the hydrophilicity of the sheets was enhanced. Mechanical testing confirmed that the fabricated sheets could withstand lung tissue movement, and burst pressure measurements demonstrated their resistance to coughing pressure. The adhesion force of the PHB/TA/Az-NHS ultrafine fibrous sheets was approximately 4.9 times higher than that of pristine PHB sheets, indicating a synergistic effect of TA and Az-NHS on tissue adhesion. Furthermore, MTT assay results showed excellent biocompatibility, and in vivo wound healing tests demonstrated significantly accelerated tissue recovery within 14 days. These results suggest that PHB/TA/Az-NHS ultrafine fibrous sheets have strong potential as biodegradable surgical sealants for preventing air leakage in lung tissues.