Fibrin Sealant (Evicel® [Quixil®/Crosseal™])

Safety and effectiveness of Evicel® fibrin sealant as an adjunct to sutured dural repair in children undergoing cranial neurosurgery

PURPOSE

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage is a challenging complication of intradural cranial surgery, and children are particularly at risk. The use of dural sealants confers protection in adults, but pediatric studies are scarce. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of Evicel® fibrin sealant as an adjunct to primary dural suturing in children undergoing cranial surgery.

METHODS

A multicenter trial prospectively enrolled pediatric subjects (< 18 years) undergoing cranial neurosurgery who, upon completion of primary sutured dural repair, experienced CSF leakage. As agreed by the EMA Evicel® Pediatric Investigation Plan, 40 subjects were intra-operatively randomized 2:1 to Evicel® or additional sutures ('Sutures'). Data analysis was descriptive. The efficacy endpoint was treatment success rate, with success defined as intra-operative watertight closure after provocative Valsalva maneuver (primary endpoint). Safety endpoints were postoperative CSF leakage (incisional CSF leakage, pseudomeningocele or both) and surgical site complications (secondary endpoints).

RESULTS

Forty subjects (0.6-17 years) were randomized to Evicel® (N = 25) or Sutures (N = 15) (intention-to-treat). Intracranial tumor was the most common indication and procedures were mostly supratentorial craniotomies. Success rates were 92.0% for Evicel® and 33.3% for Sutures, with a 2.76 estimated ratio of success rates (Farrington-Manning 95% CI [1.53, 6.16]). Sensitivity analyses in per-protocol and safety sets showed similar results. Despite a higher rescue treatment rate, the frequencies of postoperative CSF leakage and wound complications were higher for Sutures than for Evicel®.

CONCLUSION

This small-scale prospective study shows Evicel® treatment to be safe and effective as an adjunct to primary sutured dura mater closure in a pediatric population. Compared to additional sutures, Evicel® was associated with reduced postoperative CSF leakage and surgical site complications. (Trial registration: The trial was registered as NCT02309645 and EudraCT 2013-003558-26).

Hybrid Bioactive Hydrogel Promotes Liver Regeneration through the Activation of Kupffer Cells and ECM Remodeling After Partial Hepatectomy

Partial hepatectomy is an essential surgical technique used to treat advanced liver diseases such as liver tumors, as well as for performing liver transplants from living donors. However, postoperative complications such as bleeding, abdominal adhesions, wound infections, and inadequate liver regeneration pose significant challenges and increase morbidity and mortality rates. A self-repairing mixed hydrogel (O5H2/Cu2+/SCCK), containing stem cell derived cytokine (SCCK) derived from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (HUMSCs) treated with the traditional Chinese remedy Tanshinone IIA (TSA), is developed. This SCCK, in conjunction with O5H2, demonstrates remarkable effects on Kupffer cell activation and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling. This leads to the secretion of critical growth factors promoting enhanced proliferation of hepatocytes and endothelial cells, thereby facilitating liver regeneration and repair after partial hepatectomy. Furthermore, the hydrogel, featuring macrophage-regulating properties, effectively mitigates inflammation and oxidative stress damage in the incision area, creating an optimal environment for postoperative liver regeneration. The injectability and strong adhesion of the hydrogel enables rapid hemostasis at the incision site, while its physical barrier function prevents postoperative abdominal adhesions. Furthermore, the hydrogel's incorporation of Cu2+ provides comprehensive antibacterial effects, protecting against a wide range of bacteria types and reducing the chances of infections after surgery.

Hemostatic Agents Do Not Significantly Affect Seroma Formation in Abdominal Body Contouring

BACKGROUND

Objective: Seroma formation is plaguing complication in abdominal body contouring surgery (ABCS) that has been loosely associated with the use of intraoperative hemostatic agents. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between hemostatic agent usage and seroma development following ABCS.

METHODS

A retrospective review of patients undergoing ABCS between 2010 and 2020 was completed. Cases who received hemostatic agents were matched to controls (1:2) based on potential confounders including age, BMI, and ASA score. Demographic data, operative details, and postoperative complications including development of seroma, hematoma, venous thromboembolism, wound dehiscence, and delayed wound healing were collected.

RESULTS

Seven hundred and seven patients were included in the study. Sixty-five patients (9.2%) received at least one hemostatic agent. The most used agents were topical thrombin (n = 33, 50.1%), dry matrices including oxidized cellulose, microporous polysaccharides, and absorbable gelatin matrices (n = 15, 23.1%) followed by combination fibrin sealant/thrombin preparations (n = 9, 14.0%). No significant differences with respect to demographic data or medical comorbidities between the cases and controls were identified. Bivariate analysis demonstrated no significant differences in the rate of development of seroma (OR: 0.83, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.23-1.99, p = 0.781), hematoma (OR: 3.72, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.95-14.65, p = 0.060), venous thromboembolism (OR: 0.40, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.44-3.81, p = 0.433).

CONCLUSION

Hemostatic agent use, regardless of type, does not significantly affect the risk of seroma, hematoma, and venous thromboembolism development, nor does it influence the rates of delayed wound healing or wound dehiscence.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

A nature-inspired multifunctional adhesive for cartilage tissue-biomaterial integration

Surgical adhesives play a crucial role in tissue integration and repair, yet their application in wet conditions has been severely limited by inadequate adhesive strength and subpar biocompatibility. Furthermore, tissue adhesives have rarely been reported in cartilage tissue repair. In this study, a three-armed dopamine-modified hyaluronic acid derivative adhesive was prepared to function as a bio-inspired adhesive in moist environments. To meet the clinical requirements for cartilage tissue adhesion, we studied its chemical structure, including microscopic morphology, adhesion properties with materials and tissues, in vivo degradation rules, and biological evaluation. The OGMHA8-DOPA adhesive with the optimal aldehyde substitution degree and dopamine-grafting rate was determined by analyzing the experimental conditions. SEM results revealed that the cartilage tissue adhered to a porous interconnected structure. The excellent biocompatibility of the material not only facilitated chondrocyte adhesion but also supported their proliferation on its surface. Animal experiments have demonstrated that this material has no observable inflammatory response or incidence of fibrous capsule formation. The degradation timeline of the material extends beyond the duration of two weeks. The dopamine-modified adhesive exhibited a tight interfacial binding force between the biomaterial and cartilage tissue and excellent biocompatibility in watery tissue, revealing its potential for application in cartilage tissue repair and minimally invasive surgery.

Hemostatic Efficacy of Oxidized Regenerated Cellulose Powder in Le Fort 1 Osteotomy

A challenging aspect of Le Fort I osteotomy is bleeding control. Osteotomy techniques, devices, drugs, and anesthetic management have been reported to reduce bleeding; however, there are no reports on the use of hemostatic agents. We aimed to evaluate the hemostatic efficacy of a new topical absorbent hemostatic agent, Surgicel Powder, consisting of oxidized regenerated cellulose (ORC). We reviewed the records of 40 patients who underwent Le Fort I surgery for jaw deformities, with or without cleft lip and palate. Twenty of the 40 patients did not have cleft lips or cleft palates (CLCP); the remaining 20 had CLCP. In each group, an absorbent hemostatic agent was used in 10 patients but not in the other 10. Total blood loss and operative time for each group were evaluated. In the jaw deformity without CLCP group, the amount of bleeding with or without ORC was 112.0±33.8 and 158.6±75.3 mL, respectively, with a significant difference between groups ( P <0.05). Operative time with or without ORC was 206.4±31.3 and 238.3±42.5 minutes, respectively, with a significant difference observed between groups ( P <0.05). In the jaw deformity with CLCP group, the amount of bleeding with or without ORC was 199.7±64.6 and 476.8±104.8 mL, respectively, with a significant difference between groups ( P <0.05). Operative time with or without ORC was 213.7±27.6 and 220.8±41.5 minutes, respectively, with no significant difference between groups ( P =0.329). In conclusion, oxidized regenerated cellulose powder may be a beneficial hemostatic agent for reducing blood loss during Le Fort I osteotomy.

Very delayed CSF leak in patients after craniotomy for resection of skull base tumors

OBJECTIVE

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak is a potentially dangerous neurosurgical complication. Delayed CSF leak has already been described after trauma, radiation therapy and endonasal transsphenoidal surgery for Sella turcica pathologies. Still, very few reported cases describe delayed CSF leak after craniotomy for tumors. We present our experience with patients showing delayed CSF leak after skull base tumor resection.

METHODS

Data for all tumors resected from the skull base region from January 2004 to December 2018 was retrieved from the surgeon's prospective database and supplemented with a retrospective file review. Patients who presented CSF leak within the first 12 months after surgery and those with a history of trauma or radiation-based treatment to the skull base region were excluded from the study. Epidemiology, clinical presentation, previous surgical approach, pathology, interval between craniotomy and CSF leak and proposed treatment were analyzed.

RESULTS

Overall, more than two thousand patients underwent surgery for resection of skull base tumors during the study period. Six patients (two male, four female; mean age 57.5 years, range 30-80) presented with delayed CSF leak, including five (83%) who presented with bacterial meningitis. After skull base tumor resection, CSF leak developed in a mean of 72 months (range 12-132). Three patients underwent retrosigmoid craniotomy, two for resection of cerebellopontine angle epidermoid cyst and one for resection of a petro tentorial meningioma; one had trans petrosal retrolabyrinthine craniotomy for resection of a petroclival epidermoid cyst; one had far lateral craniotomy for resection of a foramen magnum meningioma; and one had pterional craniotomy for resection of a cavernous sinus meningioma. All patients underwent surgical re-exploration and repair. CSF leak was managed with mastoid obliteration in five patients and skull base reconstruction with fat graft in one.

CONCLUSION

Recognition of very delayed CSF leak as a potential complication after resection of skull base tumors may be useful tool in long-term patient management. In our experience, these patients usually present with bacterial meningitis. Surgical options should be considered as a definitive treatment.

Flexible dual-functionalized hyaluronic acid hydrogel adhesives formed in situ for rapid hemostasis

Hydrogel adhesives integrating both rapid and strong adhesion to blooding tissues and biocompatibility are highly desired for fast hemostasis. Herein, a flexible hyaluronic acid hydrogel adhesive is fabricated via photocrosslinking of the solution originating from dopamine-conjugated maleic hyaluronic acid (DMHA) in situ. The introduction of acrylate groups with high substitutions into the hydrogel matrix endows the adhesive with rapid gelation and strong tissue adhesion properties through photopolymerization. Moreover, the high substitution of catechol groups with unoxidized state can not only induce red blood cell aggregation and platelets adhesion but also adhere to wound tissue to further enhance hemostasis. Based on its bio-adhesion and procoagulant activity, the DMHA hydrogel formed in situ reveals superior hemostatic performance in the rat liver injury model and noncompressible hemorrhage model, and rabbit femoral artery puncture model, compared to commercial products (gauze, absorbable gelatin sponge) and oxidized DMHA (SMHA) hydrogel. Besides, the hydrogel exhibited good adaptability, biodegradability, and superior cytocompatibility as well as negligible inflammation. This hydrogel adhesive is a promising biological adhesive for hemorrhage control.

The Use of Hemostatic Agents to Decrease Bleeding Complications in Breast Cancer Surgery

INTRODUCTION

Following breast cancer surgery, patients often require adjuvant radiation and chemotherapy for locoregional and systemic disease control. These procedures may result in postoperative complications, which may delay adjuvant therapy. To potentially decrease these complications, hemostatic agents may be used. This study evaluated the rate of postoperative bleeding complications and duration of Jackson-Pratt (JP) drain use in oncologic breast surgery with and without hemostatic agents.

METHODS

After obtaining institutional review board approval, a retrospective chart review was performed. Patients who underwent oncoplastic breast surgery, mastectomy with or without expander/implant-based reconstruction, and subsequent reconstruction with expander to implant exchange were included. Data collected included indication for surgery, type of operation, use of hemostatic agent, specifically fibrin sealant (FS, EVICEL^®, Ethicon, USA) or combination powder (CP, HEMOBLAST^™ Bellows, biom'up, France), length of follow-up, time to JP drain removal, and post-operative complications (seroma, hematoma, or operating room (OR) takeback). This was a consecutive experience where initially no hemostatic agent was used, followed by use of FS, and then CP.

RESULTS

The use of a hemostatic agent resulted in fewer bleeding complications and significantly decreased time until JP drain removal. Although not significant, subgroup analysis demonstrated that this was more pronounced in the CP group. JP drain duration was decreased among all procedures for CP compared to FS.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of hemostatic agents in oncologic breast surgery may result in decreased postoperative complications and significantly reduce time to JP drain removal.

Adhesive hydrogels in osteoarthritis: from design to application

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of degenerative joint disease which affects 7% of the global population and more than 500 million people worldwide. One research frontier is the development of hydrogels for OA treatment, which operate either as functional scaffolds of tissue engineering or as delivery vehicles of functional additives. Both approaches address the big challenge: establishing stable integration of such delivery systems or implants. Adhesive hydrogels provide possible solutions to this challenge. However, few studies have described the current advances in using adhesive hydrogel for OA treatment. This review summarizes the commonly used hydrogels with their adhesion mechanisms and components. Additionally, recognizing that OA is a complex disease involving different biological mechanisms, the bioactive therapeutic strategies are also presented. By presenting the adhesive hydrogels in an interdisciplinary way, including both the fields of chemistry and biology, this review will attempt to provide a comprehensive insight for designing novel bioadhesive systems for OA therapy.

Evaluation of the effects of different hemostatic agent applications on mental nerve

PURPOSE

Evaluating the effect of ABS (Ankaferd Blood Stopper^®), Tranexamic Acid (Transamin^®) and Thrombin-Containing Hemostatic Matrix (Floseal^®) on the mental nerve of rats by using histopathologic and immunohistochemical analyses.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

40 Wistar Albino rats were used. Rats were randomly selected into 4 groups as Control (G1), ABS (G2), Tranexamic Acid (G3) and Thrombin-Containing Hemostatic Matrix (G4). In the control group G1, the left mental nerve was exposed and 0.3 ml of sterile saline was applied for 5 min, then closed with suture. In the other three groups, the left mental nerve was exposed and 0.3 ml ABS, Tranexamic Acid and Floseal was applied to groups, respectively. After 5 min, wounds were closed with suture. Immunohistochemical and histopathologic examinations were performed on mental nerves after 28 days.

RESULTS

The total histopathologic and immunohistochemical semiquantitative scores were significantly higher in ABS (G2) compared to Control (G1), Tranexamic Acid (G3) and Thrombin-Containing Hemostatic Matrix (G4) (P < 0.05). Myelin thickness were significantly lower in G2 compared to G1, G2 and G3 (P < 0.05). G3 has the most reliable results compared to G2 and G4 (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The study results suggest that ABS has neurotoxic effects and should not be used close to the nerve, and thrombin-containing hemostatic matrix should be used carefully. Tranexamic acid, on the other hand, was found to be the most reliable hemostatic agent for use in close proximity to neural tissues. Further studies are required to determine the efficacy of the hemostatic agents on peripheral nerve degeneration.

Engineered Hemostatic Biomaterials for Sealing Wounds

Hemostatic biomaterials show great promise in wound control for the treatment of uncontrolled bleeding associated with damaged tissues, traumatic wounds, and surgical incisions. A surge of interest has been directed at boosting hemostatic properties of bioactive materials via mechanisms triggering the coagulation cascade. A wide variety of biocompatible and biodegradable materials has been applied to the design of hemostatic platforms for rapid blood coagulation. Recent trends in the design of hemostatic agents emphasize chemical conjugation of charged moieties to biomacromolecules, physical incorporation of blood-coagulating agents in biomaterials systems, and superabsorbing materials in either dry (foams) or wet (hydrogel) states. In addition, tough bioadhesives are emerging for efficient and physical sealing of incisions. In this Review, we highlight the biomacromolecular design approaches adopted to develop hemostatic bioactive materials. We discuss the mechanistic pathways of hemostasis along with the current standard experimental procedures for characterization of the hemostasis efficacy. Finally, we discuss the potential for clinical translation of hemostatic technologies, future trends, and research opportunities for the development of next-generation surgical materials with hemostatic properties for wound management.

Local Fixation of Colistin With Fibrin Spray: An in vivo Animal Study for the Therapy of Skin and Soft Tissue Infections

Objective

Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) are a commonly known entity of diseases associated with difficult treatment procedures. The current gold standard when there is a rapidly progressing infection of soft tissues with a risk of sepsis is radical surgical debridement accompanied by systemic antibiotic therapy. In clinical settings, local antibiotics alone or formulated within carrier material are commonly used alongside this therapy regimen. One possibility of local antibiotic application is the fixation of colistin with fibrin glue spray. It is not yet sufficiently researched how the local antibiotic concentrations remain as high as possible over time.

Methods

We conducted an animal study including 29 male Wistar rats inducing sterile back sores reaching the muscle fascia. We sprayed only colistin, simultaneously or consecutively, with fibrin glue in different groups in order to measure the tissue concentration of the antibiotic applied locally.

Results

After liquid chromatography and quadrupole mass spectrometry analysis, it could be demonstrated that in comparison to the colistin group, tissue concentrations of colistin stayed significantly higher in the wound tissue when it was fixed with fibrin glue. This was observed in both groups, the simultaneous as well as in the consecutively fibrin glue sprayed groups after colistin application.

Conclusion

The fixation of colistin with the fibrin-glue-spray technique as a carrier for local antibiotic therapy is an easy and inexpensive method and shows promising potential for the treatment of SSTI.

The Use of Hemostatic Agents to Decrease Bleeding Complications in General Plastic Surgery Procedures

Within plastic surgery, hematomas and seromas are frequently reported complications that can negatively impact wound healing and result in significant morbidity in patients. As a result, there has been considerable interest in hemostatic agents to complement traditional methods of hemostasis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate postoperative bleeding complications and duration of Jackson-Pratt (JP) drain use in general plastic surgery procedures with and without hemostatic agents.

Hemostatic materials in wound care

Blood plays an essential role in the human body. Hemorrhage is a critical cause of both military and civilian casualties. The human body has its own hemostatic mechanism that involves complex processes and has limited capacity. However, in emergency situations such as battlefields and hospitals, when the hemostatic mechanism of the human body itself cannot stop bleeding effectively, hemostatic materials are needed for saving lives. In this review, the hemostatic mechanisms and performance of the most commonly used hemostatic materials, (including fibrin, collagen, zeolite, gelatin, alginate, chitosan, cellulose and cyanoacrylate) and the commercial wound dressings based on these materials, will be discussed. These materials may have limitations, such as poor tissue adhesion, risk of infection and exothermic reactions, that may lessen their hemostatic efficacy and cause secondary injuries. High-performance hemostatic materials, therefore, have been designed and developed to improve hemostatic efficiency in clinical use. In this review, hemostatic materials with advanced performances, such as antibacterial capacity, superhydrophobicity/superhydrophilicity, superelasticity, high porosity and/or biomimicry, will be introduced. Future prospects of hemostatic materials will also be discussed in this review.

Efficacy of Fibrin Sealants in Preventing Seroma Formation in Reduction Mammaplasty: A Single Surgeon's Experience

BACKGROUND

Fibrin sealant is a controversial method for reducing seroma formation. It is comprised of human proclotting factors, fibrinogen and thrombin. Fibrin sealants have been extensively studied for their efficacy in reducing the rates of seroma by sealing the dead space; however, in most studies, the sealants are used with surgical drains. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, fibrin sealant carries the risk of life-threatening thromboembolic complications, gas emboli, and transmission of infectious agents. Despite these concerns, many plastic surgeons use such products in ambulatory surgeries even though its effect on seroma formation has yet to be elucidated. The aim of our study is to determine the efficacy of fibrin sealants in seroma prevention in reduction mammoplasty with and without surgical drains.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was performed of all bilateral reduction mammaplasty by a single-surgeon from 2014 to 2018. Patients had at least 90 days postoperative follow-up. Exclusion criteria consisted of patients younger than 18 years, had prior breast surgery, or had an incidental cancer diagnosis in breast reduction tissue specimen.

RESULTS

On analysis, 159 patients met inclusion criteria and were categorized into group 1, with fibrin sealant (n = 101) and group 2, no fibrin sealant (n = 58). There were no statistical differences in patient demographics. There was no significant difference in the incidence of seroma between group 1 and group 2 (21% vs 19%, P = 0.782). Group 1 incidence of seroma was further analyzed by sealant type: Tisseal, Floseal, and Evicel (12% vs 27% vs 23%, P = 0.436). In group 1, the use of sealant alone was more likely to result in seroma formation when compared with the combination of sealant and surgical drains (25% vs 8%, P = 0.069).

CONCLUSIONS

There is no difference in rate of seroma formation with the use of fibrin sealants in reduction mammaplasty. The use of fibrin sealants without surgical drains may increase the rate of seromas. Plastic surgeons could consider weighing the risk versus benefits in using fibrin sealants with or without drains in ambulatory surgeries.

Review of topical gelatin-based haemostatic agents; an insidious culprit of intraoperative anaphylaxis?

BACKGROUND

An under-recognized complication of gelatin-based haemostatic agents is their potential to cause anaphylactic reactions. This review aims to collate and analyse case in the literature of intraoperative anaphylaxis secondary to locally applied haemostatic agents.

METHODS

An electronic search was performed on databases Medline, Embase, Pubmed and ProQuest. A total of 7671 articles were reviewed from title and abstract. After exclusion criteria and duplicates removed, 19 articles with 21 cases were included for analysis. Data extracted from each of the articles included patient demographics, haemostatic agent used, surgery type, known allergies and any objective evidence of hypersensitivity post anaphylactic episode, that is tryptase levels, IgE levels, skin prick testing.

RESULTS

Fifty-seven percent of cases involved patients <18 years of age; 57% of cases involved spinal surgery; 100% of cases displayed objective evidence of hypersensitivity (tryptase levels, bovine or porcine IgE levels, or skin prick testing). Thirty-three percent of patients had exposure preoperatively to a known agent causing anaphylaxis or allergy which would preclude the use of a gelatin-based haemostat. These products included vaccines, spam meats, red meat, Jell-O and CollaPlug. Gelatin-based haemostat agents included Floseal, Gelfoam, Surgiflo, fibrin glue, Avitene, haemofibrine sponge, topical bovine thrombin and thrombin-soaked gelatin.

CONCLUSION

Increased awareness of allergy to gelatin-based haemostats for surgical and anaesthetic is imperative, with 33% of cases having a known contraindication to gelatin-based haemostat. This review highlights important aspects in the pre-operative patient history and post-event patient investigation that could assist anaesthetists and surgeons in the prevention of future events.

Tissue Adhesives: From Research to Clinical Translation

Sutures, staples, clips and skin closure strips are used as the gold standard to close wounds after an injury. In spite of being the present standard of care, the utilization of these conventional methods is precarious amid complicated and sensitive surgeries such as vascular anastomosis, ocular surgeries, nerve repair, or due to the high-risk components included. Tissue adhesives function as an interface to connect the surfaces of wound edges and prevent them from separation. They are fluid or semi-fluid mixtures that can be easily used to seal any wound of any morphology - uniform or irregular. As such, they provide alternatives to new and novel platforms for wound closure methods. In this review, we offer a background on the improvement of distinctive tissue adhesives focusing on the chemistry of some of these products that have been a commercial success from the clinical application perspective. This review is aimed to provide a guide toward innovation of tissue bioadhesive materials and their associated biomedical applications.

Polymeric Tissue Adhesives

Polymeric tissue adhesives provide versatile materials for wound management and are widely used in a variety of medical settings ranging from minor to life-threatening tissue injuries. Compared to the traditional methods of wound closure (i.e., suturing and stapling), they are relatively easy to use, enable rapid application, and introduce minimal tissue damage. Furthermore, they can act as hemostats to control bleeding and provide a tissue-healing environment at the wound site. Despite their numerous current applications, tissue adhesives still face several limitations and unresolved challenges (e.g., weak adhesion strength and poor mechanical properties) that limit their use, leaving ample room for future improvements. Successful development of next-generation adhesives will likely require a holistic understanding of the chemical and physical properties of the tissue-adhesive interface, fundamental mechanisms of tissue adhesion, and requirements for specific clinical applications. In this review, we discuss a set of rational guidelines for design of adhesives, recent progress in the field along with examples of commercially available adhesives and those under development, tissue-specific considerations, and finally potential functions for future adhesives. Advances in tissue adhesives will open new avenues for wound care and potentially provide potent therapeutics for various medical applications.

The risk of polypharmacy, comorbidities and drug-drug interactions in women of childbearing age with multiple sclerosis

Background and Aims

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common neuroimmunological disease of the central nervous system in young adults. Despite recommended contraception, unplanned pregnancies can occur in women of childbearing age with MS. MS- and comorbidities-related multimedication in these patients represents a potential risk. We aimed to raise awareness regarding the frequency of polypharmacy and drug-drug interactions (DDIs) in female MS patients of childbearing age.

Methods

Sociodemographic, clinical and pharmaceutical data were collected through patient records, clinical investigations and structured patient interviews of 131 women with MS. The clinical decision support software MediQ was used to identify potential DDIs. A medication and DDI profile of the study population was created by statistical analysis of the recorded data.

Results

Of the 131 female MS patients, 41.2% were affected by polypharmacy (concurrent use of ⩾5 drugs). Polypharmacy was associated with higher age, higher degree of disability, chronic progressive MS disease course and comorbidities. With an average intake of 4.2 drugs per patient, a total of 1033 potential DDIs were identified. Clinically relevant DDIs were significantly more frequent in patients with polypharmacy than in patients without polypharmacy (31.5% versus 5.2%; Fisher's exact test: p < 0.001).

Conclusion

For the first time, a comprehensive range of potential DDIs in women of childbearing age with MS is presented. Polypharmacy is associated with the occurrence of clinically relevant DDIs. This shows the need for effective and regular screening for such interactions in order to prevent avoidable adverse effects.

Fibrin sealant reduces need for transfusions after hip hemiarthroplasty for femoral neck fractures

INTRODUCTION

Every year more than 300,000 proximal femur fractures are diagnosed. Their number will double within 30 years. In femoral neck fractures treated with hip hemiarthroplasty 90-days mortality is 29.5-51.6%. Haemorrhage is one amongst other complications that is associated with increasing postoperative mortality. Transfusion rate in these patients ranges from 25.7% to 39%. Blood transfusions expose to complications. Fibrin sealants are useful in reducing perioperative need for transfusions, total blood loss, blood loss from drainage. The aim of this study is to assess whether the use of a fibrin sealant during hip hemiarthroplasty implant reduces the need for transfusion.

PATIENT AND METHODS

All patients admitted with a proximal femur fracture from September 2018 to May 2019 were reviewed. Inclusion criteria were: femoral neck fracture AO 31B2-3, hip hemiarthroplasty. Exclusion criteria were: previous surgery on the affected hip, coagulation disorders, hematopoietic disorders. Patients were divided in fibrin sealant group and control group. All patients underwent partial hip replacement through a posterolateral approach. 4 ml of fibrin sealant (EVICEL, Omrix Biopharmaceuticals, Diegem, Belgium) were sprayed on the soft tissues of patients included in the fibrin sealant group. Primary outcome of our study was need for perioperative transfusion. Secondary outcomes were: mean red blood cell transfused volume, variations in haematocrit and haemoglobin and total blood volume loss.

RESULTS

Eighty-one consecutive patients were enrolled. EVICEL was used on 19 patients, standard haemostatic care on 62 patients. Two patients were transfused in the fibrin sealant group, 22 in the control group (p 0,0371). Mean transfused volume was 21,05 ml in the fibrin sealant group and 116,16 ml in the control group (p 0,0017). No significant difference could be found in haematocrit and haemoglobin variation and total blood loss.

DISCUSSION

A reduction in transfusional need with the use of fibrin sealants was reported in studies on total hip arthroplasty and was confirmed by our study.

CONCLUSION

EVICEL reduces need for transfusion in patients undergoing hip hemiarthroplasty for a femoral neck fracture. It must be held among the options when a stricter control on transfusional requirement is needed.

Highly effective fibrin biopolymer scaffold for stem cells upgrading bone regeneration

Fibrin scaffold fits as a provisional platform promoting cell migration and proliferation, angiogenesis, connective tissue formation and growth factors stimulation. We evaluated a unique heterologous fibrin biopolymer as scaffold to mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to treat a critical-size bone defect. Femurs of 27 rats were treated with fibrin biopolymer (FBP); FBP + MSCs; and FBP + MSC differentiated in bone lineage (MSC-D). Bone repair was evaluated 03, 21 and 42 days later by radiographic, histological and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging. The FBP + MSC-D association was the most effective treatment, since newly formed Bone was more abundant and early matured in just 21 days. We concluded that FBP is an excellent scaffold for MSCs and also use of differentiated cells should be encouraged in regenerative therapy researches. The FBP ability to maintain viable MSCs at Bone defect site has modified inflammatory environment and accelerating their regeneration.

Use of hemostatic agents for surgical bleeding in laparoscopic partial nephrectomy: Biomaterials perspective

In recent years, there was an abrupt increase in the incidence of renal tumors, which prompt up the appearance of cutting-edge technology, including minimally invasive and organ-preserving approaches, such as laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN). LPN is an innovative technique used to treat small renal masses that have been gaining popularity in the last few decades due to its promissory results. However, the bleeding control remains the main challenge since the majority of currently available hemostatic agents (HAs) used in other surgical specialities are inefficient in LPN. This hurried the search for effective HAs adapted for LPN surgical peculiarities, which resulted on the emergence of different types of topical HAs. The most promising are the natural origin HAs because of their inherent biodegradability, biocompatibility, and lowest toxicity. These properties turn them top interests' candidates as HAs in LPN. In this review, we present a deep overview on the progress achieved in the design of HAs based on natural origin polymers, highlighting their distinguishable characteristics and providing a clear understanding of their hemostat's role in LPN. This way it may be possible to establish a structure-composition properties relation, so that novel HAs for LPN can be designed to explore current unmet medical needs.

Topical biomaterials to prevent post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage

Despite advances in surgical technique, postoperative hemorrhage remains a common cause of mortality and morbidity for patients following tonsillectomy. Application of biomaterials at the time of tonsillectomy can potentially accelerate mucosal wound healing and eliminate the risk of post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage (PTH). To understand the current state and identify possible routes for the development of the ideal biomaterials to prevent PTH, topical biomaterials for eliminating the risk of PTH were reviewed. Alternative topical biomaterials that hold the potential to reduce the risk of PTH were also summarized.

Prospective Study on the Impact of the Use of Human Fibrin Sealant free of Clot-Stabilizing Agents in Total Knee Arthroplasty

Objective  The present study aimed to evaluate the results of the intraoperative topical use of a human fibrin sealant free of clot-stabilizing agents in total knee arthroplasties (TKAs), looking for differences between groups regarding blood loss, transfusion requirement, length of hospital stay, pain perception, range of motion (ROM), and incidence of complications.

Methods  We have analyzed prospectively an intervention group with 32 patients (Sealant) and a control group with 31 patients (Control) with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis who underwent TKA.

Results  The results were similar between the groups regarding visible blood loss in the drain in 24 hours (Control, 276.5 mL ± 46.24 versus Sealant, 365.9 mL ± 45.73), total blood loss in 24 hours (Control, 930 mL ± 78 versus Sealant, 890 mL ± 67) and in 60 hours after surgery (Control, 1,250 mL ± 120 versus Sealant, 1,190 mL ± 96), blood transfusion requirement (which occurred only in 1 control patient), length of hospital days stay (Control, 5.61 ± 0.50 versus Sealant, 4.81 ± 0.36), postoperative pain, and ROM. Sealant use was not related to wound healing complications, to infection, or to deep venous thrombosis.

Conclusion  We have concluded that the hemostatic agent composed of human fibrin was not effective in reducing bleeding volume and blood transfusion requirement, nor it interfered with hospital length of stay, pain perception, and ROM. Its use was not related to any complications.

Human Fibrin Sealant: Effective Hemostasis in Otolaryngologic Surgeries

In otolaryngologic surgeries, achieving hemostasis is of paramount importance for reducing associated morbidities. Topical hemostatic agents have been studied mainly in endonasal operations. Its use in other surgeries has been minimally reported. In this "real world data" study, we retrospectively evaluated the surgeries between June 2014 and December 2014, where topical hemostatic agent-Evicel^® (Ethicon BioSurgery, US) was used to achieve hemostasis. All the patients were followed till 15 day post operation. The data on Evicel^® preparation time, intraoperative blood loss, hemostasis time, length of hospital stay, blood transfusion given, and complications were evaluated. The quality of life was assessed by using discomfort score and it was statistically analyzed for patients underwent surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis and chronic otitis media. The surgical clinical data of 103 patients (63 males and 40 females) were considered for the analysis. In all patients, hemostasis was achieved in less than 1 min. The intraoperative blood loss was between 23 and 99 ml for all surgeries. No postoperative bleeding was reported and blood transfusion was not required for any patients. The hospital stay was 1-2 days. In endonasal surgeries, nasal packing was not required in 36.9% of patients. The discomfort score was statistically improved in patients underwent surgery for chronic rhinosinusits and chronic otitis media (p < 0.001). No complications were reported till day 15 postoperatively. Evicel^®, a topical human fibrin sealant found to be effective in achieving hemostasis and for better clinical outcome in various otolaryngologic surgical procedures.

A prospective, single-blind, randomized, phase III study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Fibrin Sealant Grifols as an adjunct to hemostasis compared with manual compression in vascular surgery

OBJECTIVE

New formulations and applications of hemostatic adjuncts such as fibrin sealant (FS) to support local hemostasis and sutures continue to be developed. In a pivotal, confirmatory, controlled, prospective, single-blinded, randomized, multicenter phase III clinical trial, the efficacy and safety of FS Grifols during vascular surgeries were evaluated.

METHODS

Patients undergoing a nonemergency, open, peripheral vascular surgical procedure with moderate arterial bleeding were recruited. In an initial preliminary part of the study, all patients were treated with FS Grifols. In a subsequent primary part, patients were randomized (2:1) to FS Grifols or manual compression (MC). The primary efficacy end point was the proportion of the primary part patients achieving hemostasis by 4 minutes after the start of treatment. Cumulative proportion and time to hemostasis were secondary efficacy end points. Safety end points (in pooled preliminary and primary parts) included adverse events (AEs), vital signs, physical assessments, clinical laboratory tests, viral markers, and immunogenicity.

RESULTS

The primary efficacy end point was met by 76.1% of patients (83/109) for the FS Grifols group versus 22.8% of patients (13/57) for the MC group (P < .001). The cumulative proportion of patients at 5, 7, and 10 minutes was 80.7%, 84.4%, and 88.1%, respectively, in the FS Grifols treatment group, and 28.1%, 35.1%, and 45.6% in the MC treatment group (P < .001). The median time to hemostasis was shorter in the FS Grifols group (4 minutes vs ≥10 minutes in the MC group; P < .001). The nature of AEs reported were those expected in the study patient profile. The percentage of patients experiencing treatment-emergent AEs were similar in both the FS Grifols (pooled n = 59 + 109) and MC groups (81.0% and 77.2%, respectively), most recurrent being procedural pain (34.5% and 36.8%, respectively) and pyrexia (11.3% and 10.5%, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

FS Grifols was superior in efficacy and similar in safety to MC as an adjunct local hemostatic agent in patients undergoing open vascular surgeries.

A systematic review on the use of topical hemostats in trauma and emergency surgery

BACKGROUND

A wide variety of hemostats are available as adjunctive measures to improve hemostasis during surgical procedures if residual bleeding persists despite correct application of conventional methods for hemorrhage control. Some are considered active agents, since they contain fibrinogen and thrombin and actively participate at the end of the coagulation cascade to form a fibrin clot, whereas others to be effective require an intact coagulation system. The aim of this study is to provide an evidence-based approach to correctly select the available agents to help physicians to use the most appropriate hemostat according to the clinical setting, surgical problem and patient's coagulation status.

METHODS

The literature from 2000 to 2016 was systematically screened according to PRISMA [Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses] protocol. Sixty-six articles were reviewed by a panel of experts to assign grade of recommendation (GoR) and level of evidence (LoE) using the GRADE [Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation] system, and a national meeting was held.

RESULTS

Fibrin adhesives, in liquid form (fibrin glues) or with stiff collagen fleece (fibrin patch) are effective in the presence of spontaneous or drug-induced coagulation disorders. Mechanical hemostats should be preferred in patients who have an intact coagulation system. Sealants are effective, irrespective of patient's coagulation status, to improve control of residual oozing. Hemostatic dressings represent a valuable option in case of external hemorrhage at junctional sites or when tourniquets are impractical or ineffective.

CONCLUSIONS

Local hemostatic agents are dissimilar products with different indications. A knowledge of the properties of each single agent should be in the armamentarium of acute care surgeons in order to select the appropriate product in different clinical conditions.

Management of gastric fistula complicating laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy with biological glue in a combined percutaneous and endoscopic approach

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is considered as a first line treatment for morbid obesity around the globe. Leakage and subsequent gastric fistula is the most dreadful complication, which may lead to serious morbidity and even mortality.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the safety and efficacy of fibrin glue application in the setting of gastric fistula after LSG.

SETTING

University hospital, Israel.

METHODS

Twenty-four morbidly obese patients (mean age = 42.2 yr, mean body mass index = 42 kg/m²) developed gastric fistula after LSG. The fistula was acute in 10 patients, subacute in 9, and chronic in 5. Sixteen patients (67%) have had previous failed endoscopic interventions. Fibrin glue was applied percutaneously with fluoroscopic guidance, under endoscopic visualization. A pigtail drain was left in the distal tract to monitor and manage possible continuous leakage.

RESULTS

There were no complications except abdominal pain in 2 patients associated with fever in 1. Both resolved within 1 to 2 days. Fistula closure was achieved in all patients but 1 (95.8%). Closure was accomplished after a single application in 9 patients (39%), 2 applications in 8, 3 applications in 3, 5 applications in 2, and 6 applications in 1. All patients were followed with a mean time of 42.3 months (range, 20-46).

CONCLUSIONS

Although in most patients there was a need for multiple applications, our experience indicates that percutaneous fluoroscopic application of Fibrin glue under endoscopic visualization proved to be a simple, tolerable, and highly effective method for the treatment of selected patients with gastric fistula after LSG.

[Local fixation of antibiotics by fibrin spray : In bone defects with soft tissue involvement]

In acute and chronic bone infections with concomitant soft tissue involvement the current gold standard is radical surgical debridement including explantation of the infected prosthetic devices. This is followed by initiation of systemic antibiotic therapy appropriate for the antibiogram. Several revision operations are often necessary to achieve complete healing. Additional treatment with local antibiotics or antibiotic-containing substances is routinely used in bone surgery. Apart from the typical procedures with commercially available products, we have conducted a study with 21 patients by application of local antibiotic treatment in combination with the fibrin glue spray technique and evaluated the results. Out of nine wounds of the lower extremities with bone involvement, total healing could be achieved in eight cases. We were also successful in two out of three very complex pelvic wounds; however, as expected the implant infections were complicated. Out of the seven desolate cases we were only able to achieve complete long-term healing in two cases. In the meantime we routinely use the described method in such special disastrous infection situations; however, this is carried out only in combination with established surgical procedures in sepsis surgery and anti-infection management.

The Physiological Incubation Biosimulator (PIBS): An Improved Ex Vivo Experimental Setup for the Mechanical Stability of Biological Sealants in Surgical Procedures

BACKGROUND

Tissue-bound fibrin sealants are used in a wide array of surgical procedures. The microenvironmental interaction between sealant and application site is often poorly evaluated due to a lack of suitable experimental models.

METHODS

A physiological incubation biosimulator (PIBS) was developed to test biological sealants in an ex vivo setup under physiological conditions comparable to the microenvironment at application site (temperature, humidity, pressure). PIBS was validated by a study on the effectiveness of TachoSil for leak closure at pancreatic resection sites. Defined defects in a thoracic membrane of porcine origin were sealed by TachoSil. Integrity of the sealing was tested in the presence of active pancreatic fluid over 60 minutes. Heat-inactivated pancreatic fluid and electrolyte solution served as controls. The time to leakage was recorded and experimental groups were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier analysis.

RESULTS

PIBS produced reliable results. TachoSil lead to a leakage rate of 96% after incubation with active pancreatic fluid (p = 34), which was significantly higher compared with heat-inactivated pancreatic fluid (p = 34, 52%) or electrolyte solution (p = 20, 19%).

CONCLUSION

PIBS is an effective tool to evaluate microenvironmental effects on the adhesive strength of biomaterials. Tissue sealing effect of TachoSil is diminished in a "pancreatic" microenvironment rich with pancreatic enzymes. Our results might therefore explain the reason of the findings of randomized controlled trials recently published on this subject.

Use of Evicel Fibrin Sealant in Optic Disc Pit-Associated Macular Detachment

Optic disc pit is a rare congenital anomaly of the optic nerve. Retinal detachment is a common complication with poor outcomes. Many surgical alternatives have been described for the treatment of this condition, producing variable results. Herein, the authors describe four cases of optic disc pit-associated macular detachment managed with pars plana vitrectomy, fluid-air exchange, drainage of subretinal fluid through the optic disc pit, temporal peripapillary laser, and application of Evicel fibrin sealant (human) (Ethicon, Bridgewater, NJ) over the optic disc head. Case 1 showed stable visual acuity and improvement of subretinal fluid. Cases 2 and 3 showed visual acuity and subretinal fluid improvements. At the 1-week follow-up visit, Case 4 showed almost total subretinal fluid absorption. The sealant invariably disappeared between 1 and 2 weeks and was tolerated by all patients. This case series suggests that Evicel fibrin sealant may be considered as an adjunctive option in the surgical treatment of optic disc pit-associated maculopathy. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2017;48:358-363.].

Successful Treatment of Postdural Puncture Headache Using Epidural Fibrin Glue Patch after Persistent Failure of Epidural Blood Patches

OBJECTIVES

Epidural blood patch is the gold standard for the treatment of postdural puncture headache (PDPH) when conservative treatments have failed to provide any relief. However, alternative therapies are lacking when epidural blood patch persistently fails to improve symptoms. Failure to treat PDPH may lead to significant functional impairment of daily living. Alternative therapies should be sought to accelerate recovery from PDPH.

CASE REPORT

This case describes a woman who developed PDPH secondary to accidental dural puncture during a spinal cord stimulator trial. She was successfully treated with epidural fibrin glue patch after multiple trials of epidural blood patches.

CONCLUSION

Percutaneous injection of fibrin glue to seal the dural defect demonstrated promising outcomes for both immediate and long-lasting resolution of persistent PDPH in our patient. In the event of epidural blood patch failure, epidural fibrin glue patch may be a reasonable alternative for the treatment of persistent PDPH.

Bleeding-Related Complications and Readmission Rates Associated With Fibrin Sealant Use in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery in the United States

OBJECTIVES

To compare the clinical and economic outcomes of EVICEL (Ethicon, Inc., Somerville, NJ) and TISSEEL (Baxter Healthcare Corporation, Westlake Village, CA) use in patients undergoing primary coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.

DESIGN

Retrospective database analysis.

SETTING

Premier prospective hospital database (June 2009 through March 2014) covering approximately 20% of hospital discharges in the United States.

PARTICIPANTS

Adults undergoing primary CABG surgery who received either EVICEL or TISSEEL on the day of surgery (index date).

INTERVENTIONS

Two intervention groups were formed, EVICEL and TISSEEL. Clinical outcomes compared included postoperative bleeding complications (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification code: 998.1) and number of blood transfusions received on the index day. Economic outcomes compared included hospital length of stay, hospital costs, and 30-day readmission rates. Propensity-score matching was used to control for patient and hospital characteristics.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

A total of 129,014 primary CABG surgery patients were identified; 986 patients (mean age: 64 years, 73% male) received EVICEL and 6,340 patients (mean age: 65 years, 75% male) received TISSEEL on the index day. After propensity-score matching, patients who received EVICEL compared with TISSEEL had significantly fewer postoperative bleeding complications (3.0% v 5.0%, p = 0.0197), index-day blood transfusion rates (19% v 34%, p<0.0001), readmission rates (18% v 32%, p<0.0001), and costs ($40,736 [standard deviation $19,465] v $46,005 [standard deviation $24,049], p<0.0001). Results from a sensitivity analysis using a generalized linear model to control for other hemostatic agent use also favored EVICEL over TISSEEL.

CONCLUSION

Results from this real-world retrospective database analysis showed fewer bleeding complications and lower costs in patients undergoing primary CABG surgery who received EVICEL compared with TISSEEL.

In Vivo Neural Tissue Engineering: Cylindrical Biocompatible Hydrogels That Create New Neural Tracts in the Adult Mammalian Brain

Individuals with neurodegenerative disorders or brain injury have few treatment options and it has been proposed that endogenous adult neural stem cells can be harnessed to repopulate dysfunctional nonneurogenic regions of the brain. We have accomplished this through the development of rationally designed hydrogel implants that recruit endogenous cells from the adult subventricular zone to create new relatively long tracts of neuroblasts. These implants are biocompatible and biodegradable cylindrical hydrogels consisting of fibrin and immobilized neurotrophic factors. When implanted into rat brain such that the cylinder intersected the migratory path of endogenous neural progenitors (the rostral migratory stream) and led into the nonneurogenic striatum, we observed a robust neurogenic response in the form of migrating neuroblasts with long (>100 μm) complex neurites. The location of these new neural cells in the striatum was directly coincident with the original track of the fibrin implant, which itself had completely degraded, and covered a significant area and distance (>2.5 mm). We also observed a significant number of neuroblasts in the striatal region between the implant track and the lateral ventricle. When these fibrin cylinders were implanted into hemiparkinson rats, correction of parkinsonian behavior was observed. There were no obvious behavioral, inflammatory or tumorigenic sequelae as a consequence of the implants. In conclusion, we have successfully engineered neural tissue in vivo, using neurogenic biomaterials cast into a unique cylindrical architecture. These results represent a novel approach to efficiently induce neurogenesis in a controlled and targeted manner, which may lead toward a new therapeutic modality for neurological disorders.

Staple Line Reinforcement During Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: Absorbable Monofilament, Barbed Suture, Fibrin Glue, or Nothing? Results of a Prospective Randomized Study

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is associated with serious complications, such as staple line (SL) leaks and bleeding. In order to prevent the occurrence of these complications, surgeons have advocated the need to strengthen the staple line. The aim of this randomized controlled study was to compare the efficacy of three different ways of strengthening of the SL in LSG in preventing surgical post-operative complications.

METHODS

Between April 2012 and December 2014, 600 patients (pts) scheduled for LSG were prospectively randomized into groups without SL reinforcement (group A) or with SL reinforcement including fibrin glue coverage (group B), or oversewn SL with imbricating absorbable (Monocryl™; group C) or barbed (V lock®) running suture (group D). Primary endpoints were post-operative leaks, bleeding, and stenosis, while secondary outcomes consisted of the time to perform the staple line reinforcement (SLR) and total operative time.

RESULTS

Mean SLR operative time was lower for group B (3.4 ± 1.3 min) compared with that for groups C (26.8 ± 8.5 min) and D (21.1 ± 8.4 min) (p < 0.0001). Mean total operative time was 100.7 ± 16.4 min (group A), 104.4 ± 22.1 min (group B), 126.2 ± 18.9 min (group C), and 124.6 ± 22.8 (group D) (p < 0.0001). Post-operative leaks, bleeding, and stenosis were recorded in 14 pts (2.3 %), 5 pts (0.8 %), and 7 pts (1.1 %), respectively, without statistical difference between the groups.

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests that SLR during LSG, with an imbricating or non-imbricating running suture or with fibrin glue, is an unrewarding surgical act with the sole effect of prolonging the operative time.

Venous gas embolism caused by fibrin sealant application to the prostate during greenlight laser photoselective vaporization

Venous gas embolism is a complication of fibrin sealant application and is a well-described event during various modes of prostate resection. We describe the case of a nitrogen venous gas embolism during Greenlight laser photovaporization of the prostate during the application of fibrin sealant to the operative site for hemostasis. Fibrin sealant application by a compressed gas applicator is a cause of venous air embolism, and this case highlights the need to keep venous gas embolism in mind when compressed gas applicators are used.

Meta-analysis of randomized trials comparing nonpenetrating vs mechanical mesh fixation in laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair

BACKGROUND

Evidence for open groin hernia repair demonstrates less pain with bioglue mesh fixation compared with invasive methods. This study aimed to assess the short- and long-term effects of laparoscopic groin hernia repair with noninvasive and invasive mesh fixation.

DATA SOURCES

A systematic review of MEDLINE, CENTRAL, and OpenGrey was undertaken. Randomized trials assessing the outcome of laparoscopic groin hernia repair with invasive and noninvasive fixation methods were considered for data synthesis. Nine trials encompassing 1,454 patients subjected to laparoscopic hernia repair with mesh fixation using biologic or biosynthetic glue were identified. Short-term data were inadequate for data synthesis. Chronic pain was less frequently reported by patients subjected to repair with biologic glue fixation than with penetrating methods (odds ratio .46, 95% confidence interval .22 to .93). Duration of surgery, incidence of seroma/hematoma, morbidity, and recurrence were similar.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic groin hernia repair with bioglue mesh fixation was associated with a reduced incidence of chronic pain compared with mechanical fixation, without increasing morbidity or recurrence. Longer term data on recurrence are necessary.

Minimizing Collateral Brain Injury Using a Protective Layer of Fibrin Glue: Technical Note

BACKGROUND

Neurosurgical procedures expose the brain surface to a constant risk of collateral injury. We describe a technique where the brain surface is covered with a protective layer of fibrin glue and discuss its advantages.

METHODS

A thin layer of fibrin glue was applied on the brain surface after its exposure in 34 patients who underwent different craniotomies for tumoral and vascular lesions. Data of 35 more patients who underwent standard microsurgical technique were collected as a control group. Cortical and pial injuries were evaluated using an intraoperative visual scale. Eventual abnormal signals at the early postoperative T2-weighted fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (T2FLAIR) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences were evaluated in oncological patients.

RESULTS

Total pial injury was noted in 63% of cases where fibrin glue was not used. In cases where fibrin glue was applied, a significantly lower percentage of 26% (P < 0.01) had pial injuries. Only 9% had injuries in areas covered with fibrin glue (P < 0.0001). Early postoperative T2FLAIR MRI confirmed the differences of altered signal around the surgical field in the two populations.

CONCLUSION

We propose beside an appropriate and careful microsurgical technique the possible use of fibrin glue as alternative, safe, and helpful protection during complex microsurgical dissections. Its intrinsic features allow the neurosurgeon to minimize the cortical manipulation preventing minor collateral brain injury.

Fibrin sealant before wound closure in total knee arthroplasty reduced blood loss: a meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Fibrin sealant (FS) comprises a mixture of fibrinogen and thrombin that controls bleeding, reduces blood transfusions, improves tissue healing and shortens postoperative recovery time after various surgical procedures. However, no single study has been large enough to definitively determine whether fibrin sealant is safe and effective. We report a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the efficacy and safety of fibrin sealant in total knee arthroplasty.

METHODS

Articles published before August, 2012 were identified from PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Library and other internet databases. Relevant journals and the recommendations of expert panels were also searched manually. We included only high-quality RCTs. Two independent reviewers searched and assessed the literature. Relevant data were analysed using RevMan 5.0.

RESULTS

Seven RCTs met the inclusion criteria. Use of fibrin sealant significantly reduced haemoglobin decline mean difference (MD = -0.72), 95 % confidence interval [95 % CI (-0.83, -0.62), p < 0.00001], postoperative drainage volume [MD = -354.53, 95 % CI (-482.43, -226.63), p < 0.00001], the proportion of patients requiring blood transfusion risk differences [RD = -0.27, 95 % CI (-0.45, -0.08), p = 0.006] and the incidence of wound haematoma [RD = -0.11, 95 % CI (-0.22, -0.00), p = 0.04]. There were no significant differences in deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, infection rate or other complications between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of fibrin sealant in total knee arthroplasty was effective and safe, reduced haemoglobin decline, postoperative drainage volume, incidence of haematoma and need for blood transfusion, and did not increase the risk of complications. Due to the limited quality of the evidence currently available, more high-quality RCTs are required.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

II.

No additional benefit with use of a fibrin sealant to decrease peri-operative blood loss during primary total knee arthroplasty

Blood loss remains a substantial problem associated TKA. This study evaluated the efficacy of a fibrin sealant on: (1) blood loss; (2) blood transfusions; and (3) length of stay. We evaluated the records of 113 consecutive patients with sealant and 70 without sealant. There was no significant difference in the hemoglobin levels (all 9.5-10 g/dL) on each of three postoperative days. There was also no significant difference in the intraoperative blood loss, postoperative blood loss or the total perioperative blood loss in both groups. The mean requirement in each patient was 2.5 ± 2.4 units in the fibrin sealant group compared to 2.0 ± 0.8 units in the non-fibrin sealant group. We have stopped using fibrin sealant based on this study.

Hemostasis and other benefits of fibrin sealants/glues in spine surgery beyond cerebrospinal fluid leak repairs

Background:

Fibrin sealants (FS)/glues (FG) are primarily utilized in spinal surgery to either strengthen repairs of elective (e.g., intradural tumors/pathology) or traumatic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistulas. Here, additional roles/benefits of FS/FG in spine surgery are explored; these include increased hemostasis, reduction of scar, reduction of the risk of infection if impregnated with antibiotics, and its application to restrict diffusion and limit some of the major complications attributed to the controversial “off-label” use of bone morphogeneitc protein (rhBMP-2/INFUSE).

Methods:

We reviewed multiple studies, focusing not just on the utility of FS/FG in the treatment of CSF fistulas, but on its other applications.

Results:

FS/FG have been primarily used to supplement elective/traumatic dural closure in spinal surgery. However, FS/FG also contribute to; hemostasis, reducing intraoperative/postoperative bleeding/transfusion requirements, length of stay (LOS)/costs, reduced postoperative scar/radiculitis, and infection when impregnated with antibiotics. Nevertheless, one should seriously question whether FS/FG should be applied to prevent diffusion and limit major complications attributed to the “off-label” use of BMP/INFUSE (e.g., limit/prevent heterotopic ossification, dysphagia/respiratory decompensation, and new neurological deficits).

Conclusions:

FS/FG successfully supplement watertight dural closure following elective (e.g., intradural tumor) or traumatic CSF fistulas occurring during spinal surgery. Additional benefits include: intraoperative hemostasis with reduced postoperative drainage, reduced transfusion requirements, reduced LOS, cost, scar, and prophylaxis against infection (e.g., impregnated with antibiotics). However, one should seriously question whether FS/FG should be used to contain the diffusion of BMP/INFUSE and limit its complications when utilized “off-label”.

Is the newest fibrin sealant an effective strategy to reduce blood loss after total knee arthroplasty? A randomized controlled study

An RCT was conducted to ascertain whether, compared to control management, topical application of a novel fibrin sealant (Evicel, J&J) in patients undergoing primary TKA reduces peri-operative blood loss. Sixty-two patients were randomized to receive topical application of Evicel (N = 31) or not (N = 31). The mean total blood loss was 1.9L(± 0.7) in the control group and 1.8L(± 0.5) in the treatment group (P = 0.4). The transfusion rate was 32.3% in the control group and 25.8% in the treatment group (P = 0.5). The transfusion rate decreased linearly with increasing preoperative Hb levels in the treatment group (P = 0.005). The results of this study suggest that topical application of this novel fibrin sealant doesn't reduce perioperative blood loss and the need for allogeneic blood transfusion.

Dextran/Albumin hydrogel sealant for Dacron(R) vascular prosthesis

In this paper, the authors describe a novel type of hydrogel coating prepared from the copolymer of human serum albumin and oxidized dextran. The material was designed as a hydrogel sealant for polyester (Dacron®)-based vascular grafts. Dextran was chosen as a coating material due to its anti-thrombogenic properties. Prepared hydrogels were compared with similar, already known biomaterial made from gelatine with the same cross-linking agent. Obtained hydrogels, prepared from various ratios of oxidized dextran/albumin or oxidized dextran/gelatine, showed different cross-linking densities, which caused differences in swelling, degradation rate and mechanical properties. Permeability tests confirmed the complete tightness of the hydrogel-modified prosthesis. Results showed that application of the hydrogel coating provided leakage-free prosthesis and eliminated the need of pre-clotting.