The Effect of Fibrin Sealant on Postoperative Wound Secretion After Aortofemoral Bypass Surgery

Abstract

Eighteen patients who had had an operation with insertion of an aortobifemoral bypass graft joined a prospective, randomised and controlled study in order to investigate the effect of fibrin sealant on postoperative wound secretion. One of the two femoral incisions in each patient was sprayed with 2 ml fibrin sealant (Tissel) containing 500 IU/ml thrombin and 20000 IU aprotinin. The secretion from the femoral incisions was measured through suction drainage devices and a significant reduction of secretion p < 0.05 was shown within the first 6 hours postoperativly. The total drainage time however could not be reduced. It is concluded that fibrin sealant in the way administered may to some extent reduce the serosangvinolent secretion in major surgical wounds.