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Injectable, retrievable nanocellulose-polymer composite cryogel microfibers for resolving the dual clinical challenge of residual silicone oil and emulsification in eye surgery

Lookup NU author(s): Professor David SteelORCiD

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Abstract

Copyright © 2026. Published by Elsevier Ltd.While nanocellulose-containing materials show remarkable oil-absorption capabilities for oil-spill cleanup, their biomedical translation remains unexplored. Residual silicone oil (SilOil) following eye surgery represents a significant concern in clinical ophthalmology, as emulsified droplets can lead to serious ophthalmic complications. Here, we demonstrate the first successful biomedical application of a carbohydrate-polymer composite material as an intraoperative SilOil-absorbent tool with a clinically viable form in eye surgery. The engineered microfibers (MFs) were fabricated via wet-reaction spinning of TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibrils (TOCN) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), followed by dual crosslinking, freeze-drying, and hydrophobic modification. The resulting composite cryogel MFs exhibited high porosity (up to 86%), exceptional SilOil absorption capacity (more than 12 g per gram (g g−1)), mechanical robustness (70 MPa compressive modulus), and excellent cytocompatibility. The precisely controlled cylindrical morphology enables seamless integration with microcannula systems, permitting both minimally invasive delivery and complete retrieval. Crucially, the composite cryogel MFs achieved superior SilOil removal efficiency compared to the conventional technique in an ex vivo porcine eye model. This work pioneers the transformative application of a structured carbohydrate-polymer composite cryogel as a retrievable intraoperative surgical tool for the management of post-surgery SilOil retention and advances the utilization of carbohydrate-polymer composite porous materials in precision surgery.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Chen Y, Lai L, Gao X, Zhou L, Deng Y, Li KKW, Steel DH, Chan YK

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Carbohydrate Polymers

Year: 2026

Volume: 388

Print publication date: 15/09/2026

Online publication date: 18/06/2026

Acceptance date: 17/06/2026

ISSN (print): 0144-8617

ISSN (electronic): 1879-1344

Publisher: Elsevier Ltd

URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2026.125579

DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2026.125579

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