Three Dentistry students from UGM have made a breakthrough that can stop bleeding and expedite post-surgery wound healing. It was Oktika Nur Anisa, Atha Yuska Irfani, and Imroatul Maghfiroh developing artificial coral sponge which is safe and effective to control the bleeding.
“Bleeding control after surgery usually uses haemostasis agent, a material that helps stop the bleeding, but unfortunately it is not biodegradable,” said Imroatul on Monday (25/6).
The artificial coral sponge is made from calcium carbonate that can easily be applied according to the shape of the wound. In healing the wound, the calcium acts as activator of blood coagulation. “Calcium carbonate has the highest calcium element,” she added.
The research started after the students were concerned that many of health equipment in the country need to be imported. This prompted them to find an alternative that can be produced domestically while still has the same quality.
“Latest data from the Health Ministry still show that imported health equipment account to as high as 97.2%. This absorbable artificial coral sponge is produced using natural materials that are available in Indonesia, hence, no need for imports,” she said.
The research done under the supervision of drg. Ika Dewi Ana, M.Kes., Ph.D started in April. Animal testing at LPPT Unit IV UGM lab showed accelerated healing of wounds. After repeated four times, the outcome still showed positive results, i.e. controlling post-surgery bleeding. Coral sponge using calcium carbonate became the activator that changed prothrombin into thrombin, and thrombin would convert the fibrinogen into fibrin threads. Therefore, the sponge is considered effective to help accelerate post-surgery healing in the wound.
The students hope the sponge can be use massively by patients. “We hope to be able to do a further clinical research while the sponge can be produced in the country as bleeding control to help accelerate wounds healing after surgery,” said Imroatul.