New surgical gel could promote wound healing in pelvic organ prolapse surgery

Editor's Note

A new synthetic surgical gel developed by a researcher at Radboud University may one day help reduce the need for recurring surgeries for women with pelvic organ prolapse. Advanced Therapeutics published the findings September 6, 2023. According to a recent EurekAlert! report, the researcher received her PhD for her contributions February 27. 

Pelvic organ prolapse happens when the bladder, uterus or bowels drop into the vagina due to a weakening of the pelvic floor’s connective tissue. This leads to urinary, defecation and sexual problems. It occurs in 41% of post-menopausal women. A small number of these women will seek surgery to strengthen their pelvic floor, and 20% of those who undergo surgery will need additional surgery due to poor wound healing. 

For the study, researcher Melissa van Velthoven examined how synthetic PIC gel could be used to stimulate the cells in the connective tissue to improve wound healing and prevent subsequent surgeries. When she added a hormone to the PIC gel, she found that it increased collagen and elastin production. Initial studies in animals have been promising—showing a low immune response—and she is continuing to develop the gel in other models as it progresses toward eventual human trials.