[Efficacy of GRF (gelatin-resorcin-formalin) glue on surgery for type A aortic dissection]

The tissue biological adhesive GRF glue has been used in our department to have dissected aortic layers adhered and to reinforce the dissected aortic stumps during surgery for aortic dissection. From May 1992 to August 1993, 12 patients were operated for type A aortic dissection; 4 patients with acute dissection and 8 patients with chronic dissection. There were 5 men and 7 women whose ages ranged from 51 to 69 years with an average of 60.6 years. Replacement of the ascending aorta alone was performed for 6 patients. Replacement of both the ascending aorta and transverse arch was carried out for 4 patients, and replacement of the ascending aorta, transverse arch and the descending aorta was accomplished in 1 patient. Primary repair was performed for 1 patient with intraoperative acute dissection that occurred during surgery for mitral valve. There were no operative or hospital deaths. Preoperative aortic regurgitation was present in 5 patients. Following gluing the aortic root dissection, aortic regurgitation disappeared in all patients confirmed by postoperative aortograms. The use of GRF glue significantly reduced the average amount of intraoperative bleeding from 2893 ml to 1169 ml and also significantly reduced the use of Teflon felt strips for the proximal anastomosis. We believe that use of GRF glue can improve the surgical outcome for acute and chronic aortic dissection.