The use of fibrin glue in intracranial procedures: preliminary results.

Intracranial procedures always have the potential of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage postoperatively. Sealing all routes of CSF drainage to the outside of the intracranial contents is essential. This is usually achieved with muscle and fat plugs, homograft dura, fascia, and suture. The use of a fibrin glue might affect and lessen the likelihood of a CSF leak. Eight clinical cases of various intracranial procedures using a simple, two-part patient autologous cryoprecipitate fibrinogen and bovine thrombin glue are described. Preliminary results of up to 1 year show no CSF leakage nor adverse reactions to the fibrin glue. The production method and material characteristics are briefly compared with other currently described autologous fibrin glue formulations. This version is similar in strength to other formulations, yet is simpler and more convenient to produce. The use of this autologous fibrin glue appears to provide an adjunct to commonly employed packing techniques in a convenient and effective manner. With more experience, fibrin glue might become an even more important tool in intracranial procedures.