Hydrogel adhesives for upper gastrointestinal wound healing

This review discusses the latest progress in hydrogel adhesives for upper gastrointestinal wound healing. The specific acidic environment of the upper gastrointestinal tract makes treating upper gastrointestinal wounds, especially gastric bleeding and perforation, quite challenging. Recent research on hydrogels in biomedical applications has demonstrated immense potential, particularly in wound dressing. With three-dimensional network structures, hydrogels provide an efficient and safe strategy for hemostasis and wound repair in the digestive tract. Moreover, hydrogels possess excellent properties, including biocompatibility, biodegradability, mechanical strength, cell/tissue adhesion, and controllable release, making them suitable for complex wound-healing processes. This review summarizes the latest advancements in hydrogels for various upper gastrointestinal conditions, including esophageal stenosis, gastric ulcers, gastric bleeding, gastric perforation, and endoscopic submucosal dissection. We also highlight the merits and demerits of current hydrogel dressings to provide a deep understanding of their working mechanisms. Finally, the challenges and prospects of hydrogels for upper gastrointestinal applications are reviewed, aiming to inspire researchers in different fields and encourage the development of multifunctional hydrogels for effective upper gastrointestinal wound healing.