多种干预措施预处理骨髓腔预防骨水泥植入综合征的研究

目的 探讨兔髋关节置换术中扩髓后肾上腺素盐水、股骨扩髓区域钻孔及纤维蛋白医用胶(FS胶)对髓腔预处理及其联合应用对术中骨水泥植入综合征的预防作用.方法 采用2×2×2析因实验设计,将欲行单髋关节置换术的48只比利时兔随机分成8组.分别给予扩髓后肾上腺素盐水冲洗髓腔(盐酸肾上腺素组)、股骨扩髓区域钻孔(钻孔组)、纤维蛋白医用胶喷涂髓腔(FS胶组)以及上述干预措施联合应用处理骨髓腔.使用BL-420E+生物机能实验系统实时监测各组家兔外周动脉压、中心静脉压、心率、呼吸频率的变化,收集数据并作统计学分析.夹闭气管处死家兔后取下肺脏送病理检验,高倍镜观察微栓子.结果 FS胶组、肾上腺素盐水冲洗+钻孔和肾上腺素盐水冲洗+钻孔+FS胶3种方法联合应用组血压下降幅度减少,血压下降值分别为(14.96±2.60)、(17.58±2.06)和(21.67±5.52)mm Hg(1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa);盐酸肾上腺素组、FS胶组、肾上腺素盐水冲洗+FS胶联合应用组、FS胶+钻孔联合应用组、肾上腺素盐水冲洗+钻孔+FS胶3种方法联合应用组血压下降持续时间减少,低血压持续时间分别为(30.00±5.62)、(26.17±2.64)、(27.17±3.87)、(22.00±3.69)、(20.17±5.04)s.结论 肾上腺素盐水冲洗,FS胶及其肾上腺素盐水冲洗+FS胶联合应用、FS胶+钻孔联合应用、肾上腺素盐水冲洗+钻孔联合应用、肾上腺素盐水冲洗+钻孔+FS胶联合应用对骨水泥致血压下降有预防作用;钻孔对血压下降无预防作用,但对肾上腺素盐水冲洗,FS胶处理有协同作用.     

骨水泥型髋关节置换术中盐酸肾上腺素髓腔冲洗的护理配合

目的总结盐酸肾上腺素髓腔冲洗在骨水泥型髋关节置换术中的护理配合方法。方法对40例行骨水泥型髋关节置换术患者术中均使用1∶500 000肾上腺素生理盐水冲洗并浸湿纱布填塞髓腔。术前加强心理护理,备好手术物品,正确配制肾上腺素生理盐水;术中严格无菌操作,并密切观察患者血压、心率等生命体征变化等。结果骨水泥植入后患者血压、心率、SpO2变化不明显,出血(127.44±76.25)mL,均未发生骨水泥植入综合征。仅1例患者术后出现偶发室早,及时处理后症状缓解。结论盐酸肾上腺素盐水冲洗髓腔能有效预防骨水泥植入综合征的发生以及减少术中出血,保证手术治疗效果。     

骨水泥振动器的运用对骨水泥-骨界面微嵌合的影响

目的 评价骨水泥振动器对提高骨水泥-骨界面的整合效果及临床意义. 方法 取新鲜成猪股骨16根,随机分成两组,实验组(A组)与对照组(B组)模型各8根.猪股骨髓腔内应用骨水泥振动器进行骨水泥灌注后(对照组灌注骨水泥不经振动),对每组实验模型进行硬组织切片,每根股骨模型等距选取3个层面,HE染色后在体视显微镜下观察,经电脑Motic Med 6.0数码医学图像分析系统分析测量骨水泥渗透入松质骨腔的厚度,记为渗透厚度,将所得数值进行统计学分析,对比振动组与对照组的骨水泥灌注效果. 结果 体视显微镜下显示实验组骨水泥与骨小梁之间结合紧密,骨水泥在松质骨腔内充填均匀一致,骨水泥与骨小梁之间的结合紧密.对照组骨水泥向松质骨腔内渗透欠佳,在松质骨腔内充填不均匀.结果显示实验组骨水泥渗透厚度高于对照组,差异均具有统计学意义(P＜0.05). 结论 骨水泥振动器能够使骨水泥在骨髓腔内弥散更加均匀,能够促进骨水泥向骨小梁内渗透,从而增加骨水泥与骨小梁之间的微嵌合.     

下腔静脉过滤器对骨水泥植入综合征的预防作用研究

目的 研究下腔静脉过滤器(rvcr)对骨水泥植入综合征(BCIS)的预防作用. 方法雄性绵羊10只,体质量25～30 kg,随机分为A组(不植入IVCF)和B组(植入IVCF)(n=5).麻醉后B组绵羊先在1250 mA透视机透视下,由颈内静脉经右心房在.肾下极5 cm处下腔静脉内植入IVCF.后将两组绵羊离断股骨颈扩髓腔,植入10 mL骨水泥,并逐渐增加髓腔内压,同期观测血压、心率、中心静脉压(CVP)和血气变化,心前区超声心动图动态实时显示心腔内情况改变.术毕分离肺脏,油红染色观察肺组织病理变化.结果 A组绵羊植入骨水泥后,当将股骨髓腔压力增加至120mm Hg时,右心房、右心室内即出现了点状不均匀回声,且随髓腔压力继续增加,点状回声变成大量雪花状叫声影,并伴血压、PaO2明显下降,25 min后收缩压下降至(80±11)mm Hg(P＜0.01),Pa02降至最低(P＜0.05),而心率、CVP进行性升高,血气分析示呼吸性酸中毒合并代谢性酸中毒,病理提示肺动脉血管内广泛散布大量脂肪栓子,血管腔阻塞;而B组绵羊在植入骨水泥后,在股骨髓腔内压升至400 mm№时尚未观察到右心腔出现脂肪栓子回声影,且血压、PaO2、心率、CVP较植入前未见明显降低或升高(P＞0.05),血气分析结果示通气正常,肺组织脂肪油红染色阴性. 结论 IVCF可有效预防骨水泥植入而引起的BCIS的发生.     

初次全髋置换术前的假体选择

骨水泥与非骨水泥假体各有优缺点,就具体病人而言,选择何种固定类型的假体更为合适,是骨科医生在术前必须明确的问题。本文就不同固定方法的假体作一综述,希望对初次全髋置换术前的假体选择有所帮助。1骨水泥假体骨水泥股骨假体:在假体植入之前,以骨水泥充填股骨髓腔,插入股骨柄后使骨水泥均匀分布于股骨假体与股骨髓腔内壁之空隙间(约2mm),等骨水泥硬化后,股骨柄就会牢固地固定于髓腔内。因此,骨水泥固定可提供假体的即刻机械稳定,允许早期负重而不必担心早期的松动和下沉。然而采用第一代骨水泥灌注技术(手持填塞技术)的全髋关节置换,后期…     

利用灌注式生物反应器体外构建大段组织工程化骨的实验研究

目的 研究体外利用灌注式生物反应器构建大段组织工程化骨的可行性. 方法把在体外培养扩增的第三代人骨髓基质干细胞与大段多孔β-磷酸三钙(β-TCP)支架复合.将细胞/支架复合体放入灌注式生物反应器中,进行连续灌注培养.28 d后,检测细胞的增殖及碱性磷酸酶(ALP)活性,同时对培养后的细胞/支架复合体进行组织学检测及形态学计量,用以评价体外组织工程化骨的构建.以静态培养作为对照组. 结果培养28 d后,灌注培养组的细胞活性明显高于静态培养组.灌注培养组细胞的ALP活性显著高于静态培养组.静态培养组细胞仅在多孔β-TCP支架周缘增殖,形成的新骨量较少.灌注培养组细胞在整个β-TCP支架内增殖,形成的新骨量较多. 结论利用灌注式生物反应器的灌注培养,可以使人骨髓基质干细胞在大段β-TCP载体内增殖并形成新骨,使体外大段组织工程化骨的构建成为可能.     

骨水泥阻塞髓腔后骨内压升高对远侧关节影响的实验研究

[目的]探讨骨水泥阻塞股骨近中段骨干髓腔后骨内压升高对远侧关节组织结构的影响。[方法]将26只实验兔分成4组,随机取出8只不做模型而作为正常对照组,其余18只采取左侧股骨髓腔内灌注聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯(PMMA)骨水泥而右侧不灌注,制作骨水泥阻塞股骨近中段骨干髓腔的动物模型,根据不同观察时间段随机分成术后4(T4)、8(T8)和16周(T16)3个观察组。对正常对照和模型动物实验侧股骨远端软骨、软骨下骨和滑膜组织标本,采用HE染色、甲苯胺蓝染色、免疫组织化学检测及透射电镜方法进行组织结构观察。[结果](1)HE染色:关节软骨、软骨下骨和关节滑膜组织损害随时间呈进行性加重,造模16周关节软骨破坏,骨组织结构损害,滑膜组织增生、肿胀。(2)甲苯胺蓝染色:造模16周关节软骨全层失染。(3)免疫组化:①Ⅱ型胶原:造模16周软骨细胞染色阳性。②TGF-β1:造模16周软骨细胞染色阳性,关节滑膜细胞染色阳性。(4)透射电镜:关节软骨和骨细胞损害随时间呈进行性加重,造模16周部分软骨细胞和骨细胞坏死、崩解。[结论]骨水泥阻塞股骨近中段骨干髓腔后导致股骨远端血循环障碍,骨内压升高,持续骨内高压加重了股骨远端的缺血缺氧状态,使股骨远端骨代谢发生紊乱,最终造成股骨远端骨、软骨和滑膜组织发生了退变或坏死。     

骨水泥温度梯度灌注技术在经皮椎体后凸成形术中的应用

目的:通过与传统的骨水泥单次灌注技术进行比较,评估骨水泥温度梯度灌注技术在经皮椎体后凸成形术(PKP)治疗骨质疏松性椎体骨折(OVCF)中的临床疗效。方法:收集我院2006年1月~2010年1月共234例行PKP的OVCF患者,根据骨水泥灌注方法的不同分为温度梯度灌注组(采用缓慢、低压、间隔1~2min将骨水泥分次灌注入椎体内)和传统灌注组(采用传统的骨水泥调制好一次性灌注的方法)。温度梯度灌注组:129例患者,160个手术椎体;传统灌注组:105例患者,128个手术椎体。比较术后1周内及末次随访时两组的VAS评分、ODI、伤椎椎体后凸角、伤椎前缘相对高度及骨水泥渗漏率。结果:温度梯度灌注组术后随访25.3±12.2个月;传统灌注组术后随访24.7±11.5个月,两组间差异无显著性(P0.05)。温度梯度灌注组:术前VAS评分、ODI、伤椎的椎体后凸角及前缘相对高度分别为7.19±0.94、71.55±7.83、16.66°±8.40°和(62.50±24.64)%;术后为2.18±0.62、28.86±4.71、11.72°±7.81°和(84.50±14.92)%;末次随访时为2.1±1.9、28.79±6.25、11.87°±8.34°和(85.49±12.67)%。传统灌注组:术前VAS评分、ODI、伤椎的椎体后凸角和前缘相对高度分别为7.20±1.07、70.49±9.28、16.97°±9.48°和(61.91±24.84)%;术后为2.25±0.64、28.55±4.46、11.90°±7.42°和(85.09±10.71)%;末次随访时为2.3±2.5、28.51±6.55、11.92°±9.03°和(85.10±14.61)%。两组患者VAS评分、ODI、伤椎的前缘相对高度和椎体后凸角手术后与手术前比较均有统计学差异(P0.05);末次随访时与术后比较无统计学差异(P0.05);两组之间比较术前、术后及末次随访时的上述指标均无统计学差异(P0.05)。传统灌注组有9例患者发生骨水泥渗漏,渗漏率8.60%;温度梯度灌注组有3例患者发生骨水泥渗漏,渗漏率2.3%,显著低于传统灌注组的骨水泥渗漏率(P0.05)。结论:骨水泥温度梯度灌注技术可以获得满意的影像学及临床效果,并且可以显著降低骨水泥渗漏的发生率。     

白细胞介素-6通过p38蛋白调控髓核细胞的增殖和迁移

目的 观察白细胞介素-6(IL-6)对髓核细胞增殖和迁移的调控作用.方法 体外分离培养大鼠髓核细胞,将其随机分为对照组、IL-6组、加压组、IL-6+加压组和IL-6+ p38蛋白抑制剂(SB203580)+加压组.给予相应处理后,应用细胞计数试剂盒-8(CCK-8)法评估髓核细胞增殖能力,应用划痕实验评估细胞迁移能力.结果 CCK-8法检测各组细胞吸光度值,未加压环境下,IL-6组吸光度值(1.08±0.02)较对照组(0.67±0.01)明显升高(P＜0.05);加压环境下,IL-6组吸光度值(1.51±0.06)也较对照组(0.88±0.04)明显升高(P＜0.05).细胞划痕实验中,未加压环境下,IL-6组迁移距离[(27.73±3.15)像素]较对照组[(12.90±4.77)像素]明显升高(P＜0.05);加压环境下,IL-6组迁移距离[(52.81±3.72)像素]也较对照组[(14.32±3.84)像素]明显升高(P＜0.05).加压环境下使用SB203580阻断p38蛋白后,吸光度值(0.81±0.04)和迁移距离[(33.82±3.72)像素]均较IL-6组[(1.51±0.06)、(52.81±3.72)像素]显著下降(P＜0.05).结论IL-6能通过p38蛋白通路促进髓核细胞的增殖和迁移.     

PKP术中应用低温间断灌注技术治疗周壁破裂型OVCF

目的通过与温度梯度灌注技术进行比较,探讨低温间断灌注技术在经皮椎体后凸成形术治疗椎体周壁破裂型骨质疏松性骨折中的临床价值。方法回顾性分析我院2015年1月至2018年12月期间共60例周壁破损型骨质疏松性椎体骨折患者,均为单椎体骨折,根据骨水泥灌注方法的不同分为温度梯度灌注组30例和低温间断灌注组30例。温度梯度灌注组男6例,女24例;平均年龄为(71.9±6.9)岁;低温间断灌注组男8例,女22例;平均年龄(69.7±7.2)岁。比较两组术前、术后2 d及末次随访时疼痛视觉模拟评分(visual analogue scale,VAS)和Oswestry功能障碍指数(Oswestry disability index,ODI),椎体后凸角,伤椎椎体前缘相对高度,手术时间,骨水泥注射量,骨水泥分布面积比,骨水泥可推注时间(从开始推注到所有骨水泥至团块期晚期不可推注的时间),骨水泥渗漏率。结果温度梯度灌注组术后随访时间平均(15.3±8.4)个月;低温间断灌注组术后随访时间平均(18.6±8.2)个月,两组间比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。两组内术后2 d和末次随访时VAS评分、ODI评分较术前差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05),两组内末次随访时与术后2d相比差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。术后2 d和末次随访时,两组组间的VAS评分比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),其余时间点VAS评分和ODI比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。手术前后及末次随访时,两组组间的伤椎前缘相对高度和伤椎椎体后凸角比较差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。两组间手术时间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),其中低温间断灌注组的骨水泥可推注时间(12.1±1.0)min,显著长于温度梯度灌注组(5.3±1.1)min(P<0.05)。低温间断灌注组的骨水泥灌注量(3.9±0.79)mL,骨水泥分布面积比(0.46±0.10),均优于温度梯度灌注组(3.20±0.67)mL和(0.31±0.07),差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。低温间断灌注组有2例患者发生骨水泥渗漏,渗漏率6.7%,显著低于温度梯度灌注组的骨水泥渗漏率26.7%(P<0.05)。结论低温间断灌注技术可以有效延长骨水泥可推注时间,有利于提高骨水泥在椎体内的注射量和分布面积,降低骨水泥渗漏率的同时可获得更好的临床疗效。     

Bone-fibrin mixture in spinal surgery.

When bone grafting is performed adjacent to the spinal cord, instability of the grafted bone can result in compression of the spinal cord. To prevent this complication, fibrin sealant was mixed with the fine fragments of autogeneic bone, and the resultant pastelike mixture was used as a graft material. Operative procedures performed were posterolateral fusion (11 cases), anterior fusion (seven cases), and grafting into the bone defect (one case). After solidification of fibrin sealant, the autogeneic bone grafts were found to be firmly fixed in place, resulting in good bony fusion, and there were none of the neurologic symptoms associated with graft instability. No neurotoxicity was observed in any of these patients. Fibrin sealant was found to be an effective material for spinal surgery.     

Intraoperative use of fibrin sealant in pulmonary surgery. A prospective study on a series of 124 procedures

Following lung resection, there is often important air leakage. Application of fibrin sealant on the parenchymal sutures or sites stripped of visceral pleura improves airtightness. The author reports a prospective series of 124 operations complicated by important air leakage, which was treated by application of fibrin sealant. This group is compared to another similar group of patients in which fibrin sealant was not used. All operations were done by the same surgeon. The time of post-operative thoracic drainage is markedly reduced (mean two days), and the post-operative hospital stay time is also reduced. It seems that intra-operative use of fibrin sealant helps to improve the post-operative course in the surgical unit.     

局部注射缓释型bBMP对去势绵羊椎体骨骼影响的研究

目的探索能够在短期内有效提高骨质疏松椎体骨强度的局部治疗方法。方法采用卵巢切除法（OVX）对6只成年雌性绵羊去势，低钙饲养1年后，经双能X线吸收骨密度测量仪检测后确定建立骨质疏松模型。采用拉丁方设计方案，通过经椎弓根注射途径，分别在每只动物的L4～L6注射三种药物：实验组A注射20mgbBMP／FS，对照组B注射20mg bBMP，对照组C单纯注射FS。L3椎体设为空白对照组D。术后3个月，采用骨密度测量仪和MicroCT对绵羊腰椎骨密度及骨小梁微观结构进行分析比较。通过轴向加压实验对腰椎标本进行生物力学测定，对椎体力学性能进行评估。结果绵羊去势1年后，腰椎骨密度平均下降20．6％，动物模型成功建立。接受实验处理3个月后，实验组A骨密度（1．334g／cm^2）明显高于对照组B、C及D组骨密度（1．139g／cm^2，1．163g／cm^2和1．177g／cm^2）。MicroCT分析表明：实验组骨小梁的密度、连接率均显著高于对照组。生物力学研究表明实验组A最大压缩应力、最大压缩应变、能量吸收值及骨质弹性模量均明显高于对照组B、C及D组。结论bBMP复合纤维蛋白胶可以促进骨小梁的改建，改善骨小梁的三维结构，增加椎体的骨密度及骨强量，可以作为局部治疗脊柱骨质疏松的新型方法之一。     

高黏度与低黏度骨水泥应用于经皮椎体后凸成形术的疗效比较

目的比较高黏度与低黏度骨水泥在经皮椎体后凸成形术(PKP)中应用的临床疗效。方法对60例骨质疏松性椎体压缩性骨折患者行PKP治疗。采用随机抽签法分为对照组和实验组,每组30例,对照组使用低黏度骨水泥,实验组使用高黏度骨水泥。比较两组患者疼痛VAS评分、ODI、生活质量SF-36评分、伤椎高度恢复及骨水泥渗漏率、术后骨水泥肺栓塞发生率情况。结果术后实验组:VAS评分1.7分±0.8分,ODI 22.6分±3.6分,SF-36评分85.5分±12.1分,Cobb角15.2°±2.1°,椎体高度19.9 mm±0.9 mm;术后对照组:VAS评分2.6分±1.3分,ODI 28.3分±4.5分,SF-36评分70.3分±11.2分,Cobb角19.7°±2.4°,椎体高度18.5 mm±0.6 mm;以上各项两组比较差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。实验组骨水泥渗漏及术后近期肺栓塞发生率均低于对照组(P0.05)。结论在PKP治疗椎体压缩性骨折中,采用高黏度骨水泥临床疗效好,并发症少。     

Fate of fibrin sealant in pericardial space

Background. Although fibrin sealant (Beriplast, Aventis Behring, Marburg, Germany) has been widely used as a supplementary measure for hemostasis during cardiac surgery in Europe and is becoming popular in the United States, the pharmocokinetics of fibrin sealant applied in pericardial space has not been elucidated.

Methods. A small incision was made on the epicardial surface of the left ventricle of a rat, and the incision was sutured. Total 0.2 ml of fibrin sealant containing iodine 125 (¹²⁵I)-labeled fibrinogen, aprotinin, blood coagulation factor XIII and thrombin was applied to the area around the suture line.

Results. Distributions of ¹²⁵I-labeled fibrinogen in the heart on postoperative days 1, 3, 7, and 14 were 48.2% ± 1.8%, 20.7% ± 2.2%, 0.15% ± 0.02%, and 0.01% ± 0.02%, respectively. The radioactivity was negligible in the blood, liver, spleen, and kidney except for the thyroid in which the radioactivity increased to 7.9% ± 0.7% and 4.3% ± 0.4%, respectively, on postoperative days 7 and 14. Iodine 125-labeled fibrinogen concentrations of the heart and other organs showed a similar change in the time course of distribution. Dense and thick fibrin network, observed on postoperative day 1, had dissipated and was thinner with collagen formation by postoperative day 7.

Conclusions. Fibrin sealant applied to the pericardial cavity regresses rapidly and plays an important role in wound healing.     

Decrease in fibrin content of venous thrombi in selectin-deficient mice

The purpose of this study was to quantify the fibrin content of thrombi produced in a mouse model of venous thrombosis and correlate this to thrombus mass. The role of P-selectin, E-selectin, and IL-10 on thrombus fibrin content was analyzed using knockout (KO) mice. Five groups of mice were evaluated: control (N = 10), P-selectin KO (N = 7), E-selectin KO (N = 5), combined E-/P-selectin KO (N = 12), and IL-10 KO (N = 10). Venous thrombosis was induced by ligation of the infrarenal IVC. Mice were sacrificed on postoperative days (POD) 2 and 6. Thrombus mass was calculated. Sections of IVC were stained with an antibody that cross reacts with mouse fibrin. The distribution of RGB color pixels was generated from digitized micrographs of the thrombus of each animal. The mean pixel value for each group was compiled and analyzed using 2-way ANOVA. Mean pixel value per group was correlated with the mean thrombus mass per group.Color analysis demonstrated significant decreases in the analyzed fibrin content on POD-2 between the control vs E-/P-selectin KO (P < 0.05) and control vs IL-10 KO (P < 0.05) groups. In addition, significantly less fibrin staining was noted on POD-6 between the control vs E-selectin KO (P = 0.03), control vs P-selectin KO (P = 0.01), and control vs E-/P-selectin KO (P < 0.01). There was a strong overall correlation between the mean pixel value for each group and the thrombus mass (R = 0.964; P < 0.01).This study demonstrates a difference in fibrin content of thrombi produced in animals deficient in E-selectin, P-selectin, and IL-10, supporting their importance in thrombus amplification, fibrin formation, and the mass of thrombus formed.     

The use of fibrin sealant to reduce blood loss during Cotrel-Dubousset instrumentation for idiopathic scoliosis

The increased complexity of Cotrel-Dubousset instrumentation has, as an unexpected side effect, a potential increase in blood loss. A prospective randomized study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that application of a fibrin sealant to exposed cancellous bone can significantly reduce blood loss during Cotrel-Dubousset instrumentation for idiopathic scoliosis. A significant difference was demonstrated in total body loss, loss per level fused, and loss per kilogram of body weight when comparing the sealant group with random controls. A significant difference was demonstrated in loss per level fused when comparing the sealant control with a historical control group. Thirty-three patients were randomly assigned to the fibrin sealant or nonsealant groups; another 10 patients operated on before planning the study were included as historical controls. The sealant was used to control bleeding at the bone graft donor site and in the spine after decortication. All patients underwent Cotrel-Dubousset instrumentation for idiopathic scoliosis. There were no significant differences between groups with respect to degree of curvature, number of levels fused, age or weight of patient, or operating time. Total blood loss in the sealant group averaged 672 ml compared with 894 ml in the sealant control group. No patient in the sealant group required homologous blood. Given the increasing awareness of the complications of blood transfusion, the authors conclude that fibrin sealant is a useful adjunct to spinal surgical technique.     

Randomized clinical trial of fibrin sealant in patients undergoing resternotomy or reoperation after cardiac operations. A multicenter study

A multicenter study was conducted to test the efficacy and safety of fibrin sealant as a topical hemostatic agent in patients undergoing either reoperative cardiac surgery (redo) or emergency resternotomy. A total of 333 patients from 11 centers in the United States were included in the study. Patients were randomly assigned to initially receive the fibrin sealant or a conventional topical hemostatic agent when such was required during an operation. The end point used to evaluate the agent's efficacy was local hemostasis, the number of bleeding episodes controlled within 5 minutes. The fibrin sealant group from the prospective study was compared with historical matched control subjects for postoperative blood loss, need for resternotomy, blood products received, and hospital stay. It was also compared with historical nonmatched control subjects for the incidence of resternotomy and mortality. The results showed a 92.6% success rate for fibrin sealant in controlling bleeding within 5 minutes of application, compared with only a 12.4% success rate with conventional topical agents (p less than 0.001). Fibrin sealant also rapidly controlled 82.0% of those bleeding episodes not initially controlled by conventional agents. High-volume postoperative blood loss was significantly less (p less than 0.05) in the fibrin sealant group than in the matched controls. Additionally, resternotomy rates after redo operations were significantly lower in the fibrin sealant group (5.6%) than in the nonmatched historical control group (10%) (p less than 0.0089). There were no significant differences in hospital stay or blood products received between the fibrin sealant group and matched historical controls and no difference in mortality between the fibrin sealant group and nonmatched historical controls. There were no documented instances of adverse reactions, transmission of viral infection (hepatitis B, non-A/non-B hepatitis), or human immunodeficiency virus seroconversion. This study shows that fibrin sealant is safe and highly effective in controlling localized bleeding in cardiac operations. Fibrin sealant reduces postoperative blood loss and decreases the incidence of emergency resternotomy. These findings make fibrin sealant a valuable hemostatic agent in cardiac surgery.