Single-donor fibrin glue for hand burns.

Early tangential excision sometimes results in considerable blood loss, prolonged operative time, and partial loss of the graft secondary to hematoma formation. Previous reports document positive hemostatic effects and improved skin fixation with fibrin "glue." The commercial preparation used in Europe, however, has not been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration because of the high risk of hepatitis and human immunodeficiency virus transmission. Using a method developed at the University of Virginia, we applied single-donor fibrin glue as an adjunct in early excision and grafting in 16 patients (26 hands). The overall graft take was 99%. In all patients, better adherence of the split-thickness graft to the recipient bed, during and immediately after application, was noted. We have observed no negative effects with regard to infection or healing. We recommend the use of single-donor fibrin glue to reduce operative blood loss, improve survival and ease of graft application, and possibly to accelerate healing.