Research progress of biodegradable staples in gastrointestinal anastomosis

Since the 1960s, anastomosis instruments have become integral in gastrointestinal procedures, employing Titanium (Ti) alloy staples. These staples, however, remain permanently in the body, potentially inciting inflammatory reactions, compromising computed tomography scans, and causing diagnostic inaccuracies. This scenario underscores the imperative for biodegradable surgical staples, spurring research into materials that exhibit both superior biodegradability and mechanical integrity. Current investigations are focused on Magnesium (Mg), Zinc (Zn), and their alloys for their exemplary biodegradability, mechanical strength, and biocompatibility, making them promising candidates for gastrointestinal anastomosis. This review encapsulates the latest advancements in biodegradable surgical staples, emphasizing material and structural enhancements. It details the mechanical attributes of wires intended for staple fabrication, the corrosion dynamics across varied environments such as in vitro immersion solutions and in vivo implantation sites and the impact of structural refinements on staple biodegradability. Additionally, it contrasts the benefits and limitations of Mg-based and Zn-based staples and offers insights into the potential and hurdles in developing biodegradable surgical staples, thereby fostering further exploration in this field.