Effective use of fibrin glue for acute aortic dissection

The use of gelatin-resorcine-formalin (GRF) glue for reconstruction of the vascular wall in the context of acute aortic dissection has become more common. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that use of the GRF glue results in higher rates of postoperative redissection. We describe an alternative method of reinforcing the dissected aorta with fibrin glue that may avoid this complication. A fabric sheet is presoaked in fibrinogen solution and then placed within the false lumen. Thrombin solution is then applied to the fabric sheet. That results in obliteration of the false lumen and effective reinforcement of the dissected wall.