[Fibrin gluing of the extraocular eye muscles. Experimental use in the rabbit]

An experimental animal study was conducted to determine whether fibrin glue could be used in strabismus surgery (recession, resection, and muscular neurotization). Fibrin glue was used in place of some or all of the commonly used 7-0 Vicryl sutures. In order to evaluate the adhesion of the fibrin glue the rabbits' eyes were enucleated 10-67 days after surgery, fixed in 8% formalin solution and then histologically examined. In the recession and resection specimens a solid joint between muscles and sclera was found, without any significant scar formation or atrophy of the muscles. The muscular neurotization specimens also exhibited a firm connection between the two muscles, with no abnormal loss of muscle fibers by cicatrization or atrophy. In none of the cases did the conjunctiva show any tendency to conglutination. In view of the simplicity of the fibrin gluing technique and the uniform bonding effect, application in human patients is recommended.