Usefulness of fibrin glue in oncologic plastic surgery

Summary Human fibrin glue (Tissucol) is a plasma-derived compound endowed with adhesive and hemostatic properties and possessing a specific local anti-infection function mediated through activation of nonspecific immunity elements. The aim of this study is to show that in patients who have undergone prolonged reconstructive plastic surgery following cancer resection, Tissucol decreases infectious complications as compared to a control group. Between June 1985 and February 1988, 51 subjects were treated with fibrin glue during reconstruction operations. Analysis of the results showed that Tissucol produced a statistically significant reduction both of immediate complications, such as inflammation and partial separation of the surgical wound, and of delayed complications, such as scar hypertrophy and cutaneous fistulae. In conclusion, patients treated with Tissucol showed a better quality of surgical wound, a more rapid postoperative functional recovery and consequently a decrease in the duration of hospitalization.