Experimental and clinical applications of fibrin glue

A 2-year experience with laboratory and clinical applications of fibrin glue is presented. An autologous technique, which eliminates the danger of multidonor preparations, has been developed in our blood bank. While one can obtain different fibrinogen concentrations from the same amount of a patient's blood, in vitro mechanical testing demonstrated that at higher fibrinogen concentrations there is an increase in shear adhesive strength. Evaluation of skin-graft take in 16 Sprague-Dawley rats did not demonstrate significant differences in healing when adhesive use was compared with suture technique. In a clinical study, four different groups of patients (facial burns, hand burns, difficult graft sites, and miscellaneous surgical applications) benefited from autologous or single-donor fibrin glue for a total of 82 cases. There are several distinct advantages to the use of fibrin adhesive: The autologous technique eliminates the risk of transmissible viral diseases (AIDS, hepatitis); it can be used as a sealant in the treatment of seromas, dural leaks, and lymphoceles; and it improves hemostasis and early graft adherence. Face and hands are resurfaced with sheet grafts in a single procedure, obtaining a better aesthetic result with complete graft take and immediate start of physical therapy. Neither sutures nor pressure dressings are required. The minimal postoperative care associated with early return to normal activities seems to increase the satisfaction of patients and nurse personnel.