Synthetic tissue could replace animal tissue for practicing surgeons

Researchers at Canada's University of British Columbia (UBC) have changed that by developing synthetic heart valves, arteries and veins that are practically portable.

The synthetic tissues are made of polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel, which allows surgeons to practice bypass surgery without the need of tissues from animals or human cadavers.

"One of the major issues with using arteries from human or animal cadavers is that they break down very quickly if they are not treated with preservatives," said Hadi Mohammadi, assistant professor of engineering at UBC, in a previous statement. "This synthetic material doesn't decompose and can't be contaminated, meaning doctors can practice their technique almost anywhere.

The materials that make up the synthetic tissues are cost effective and safe, offering surgeons from anywhere access to practice. The tissues resemble human tissue in both feel and looks, making them more realistic than taking the tissues from an animal.

"A problem with using arteries from animals or human cadavers for practicing bypass surgery is that they feel different than living human tissue," stated co-inventor Guy Fradet, MD, head of cardiovascular surgery at Kelowna General Hospital where the tissues are currently in use and an associate professor in UBC's Faculty of Medicine. "The more realistic we can make surgical practice, the easier it will be to prepare surgeons for the operating room, which can only benefit patients."

The researchers' next step for this synthetic tissue is to make a full heart.