Tests of experimental tissue adhesive sealants: analysis of strength effects in relation to tissue adhesive sealant standards.

The sealing efficiencies (SE% = surfaces sealed/surfaces tested) of 2 experimental tissue adhesive sealants (TASs), L.C. TAS and glutaraldehyde TAS (GA TAS), were determined by applications in 12 mixed-breed pigs (weight range, 40-60 kg) that had been anticoagulated with heparin and divided into groups of 6: Group I, L.C. TAS; and Group II, GA TAS. Leaking tissue surfaces used were 5-mm aortic punch holes and lacerated splenic, hepatic, and lung surfaces (2 of each, in each pig). First-application SEs were as follows: for aortic punch holes, 91% in Group I and 16.6% in Group II (P <0.001; 95% confidence interval [CI], 49%-100%); for splenic leaking tissue surfaces, 83.3% in Group I and 0 in Group II (P < 0.001; 95% CI, 78%-88%); for hepatic leaking tissue surfaces, Group I, 83.3%; Group II, 16.6%; P <0.001 (95% CI, 37%-97%); and for lung leaking tissue surfaces, 75% in Group I and 0 in Group II (P <0.001; 95% CI, 50%-99%). For both 1st and 2nd applications on all leaking tissue surfaces, SEs were 98% in Group I and 29% in Group II (P <0.001; 95% CI, 37%-99%). These results are consistent with the hypothesis that a TAS with higher cohesive and adhesive strengths, such as L.C. TAS (cohesive strength, >6.5 kg/cm(2); adhesive strength, >1.5 kg/cm(2)), will have higher SEs for leaking tissue surfaces than will a TAS with lower cohesive and adhesive strength. An analysis of these data in relation to TAS standards is discussed.