Revisable and high-strength wheel-spun alginate/graphene oxide based fibrous rods towards a flexible and biodegradable rib internal fixation system

The intramedullary splint insertion fixation system is the mainstream clinical solution to severe rib fractures. However, the titanium alloy scaffolds have limitations in biocompatibility, flexibility and complexity of surgeries. Here we present a revisable wheel-spun alginate (Alg)/graphene oxide (GO)-based fibrous rod as a potential alternative for a rib internal fixation system. The reversible fusion and fission capability was obtained by optimized Alg/GO blended spinning and GO coating post-treatment. The mechanical performance of the demonstrated rod samples matches the properties of the human rib. A self-designed cubic matrix was used to conduct in situ cell culture. In vitro evaluation not only confirms the cell viability and migration on the fibers' surface, but also investigated the degradation and fission performance of fibrous rods. With a simple, minimally invasive implantation and controlled swelling, Alg/GO fibrous rods are able to tightly fix the rib fracture wound while maintaining sufficient flexibility.