The technique, known as Sandwiching Muscle Acellular Reconstruction Technique (SMART), utilizes paired biologic scaffolds to create a load-sharing bridge across the injury. By sandwiching the damaged muscle between these extracellular matrix materials, the team avoids concentrating tension on individual stitch points, which has historically limited acute reconstructive options for severe muscle transections.
Florida Surgeons Develop Scaffold Technique for Severe Muscle Injuries
When muscle is completely severed, traditional sutures often act like tiny saws, tearing through fragile tissue under tension rather than holding it together. Surgeons at Delray Medical Center have introduced a new scaffold-based method, termed SMART, designed to distribute mechanical force and restore function in complex trauma cases.
Published in PRS Global Open, the study details six initial clinical cases, including a first responder who successfully returned to duty following treatment. Dr. Andrew Klapper, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon at the center, noted that the primary goal is functional restoration rather than simple wound closure. While the team reports no construct failures in their early trials, they emphasize that SMART is currently intended for specific injury profiles and requires broader evaluation by the medical community to establish long-term clinical standards.
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