PURPOSE: To evaluate the use of a human fibrin tissue adhesive in the adherence of corneal lamellar flaps in rabbit eyes. METHODS: Corneal flaps were made using a microkeratome in both eyes of six New Zealand white rabbits. In the right eyes, the flaps were glued with fibrin tissue adhesive; in the left eyes, flaps were allowed to heal without adhesive (controls). All eyes were treated with antibiotics and steroids once daily for 10 days. Slit-lamp biomicroscopy was performed 1 and 10 days after surgery. The rabbits with surviving flaps were euthanized and the corneas obtained for histopathologic examination 10 days after surgery. RESULTS: Slit-lamp examinations showed no interface deposits and no other signs of corneal toxicity. Histologically, a few inflammatory cells were seen in both the experimental and control eyes, and microscopic gapping and tissue debris were observed in three of the six control eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Human fibrin tissue glue was well tolerated in these eyes, with no or minimal corneal toxicity. Further studies are needed to determine the tensile strength of the adhesive bond in the cornea.
PURPOSE: To evaluate the use of a human fibrin tissue adhesive in the adherence of corneal lamellar flaps in rabbit eyes. METHODS:Corneal flaps were made using a microkeratome in both eyes of six New Zealand white rabbits. In the right eyes, the flaps were glued with fibrin tissue adhesive; in the left eyes, flaps were allowed to heal without adhesive (controls). All eyes were treated with antibiotics and steroids once daily for 10 days. Slit-lamp biomicroscopy was performed 1 and 10 days after surgery. The rabbits with surviving flaps were euthanized and the corneas obtained for histopathologic examination 10 days after surgery. RESULTS: Slit-lamp examinations showed no interface deposits and no other signs of corneal toxicity. Histologically, a few inflammatory cells were seen in both the experimental and control eyes, and microscopic gapping and tissue debris were observed in three of the six control eyes. CONCLUSIONS:Human fibrin tissue glue was well tolerated in these eyes, with no or minimal corneal toxicity. Further studies are needed to determine the tensile strength of the adhesive bond in the cornea.