Fibrin adhesive: an important hemostatic adjunct in cardiovascular operations.

Fibrin adhesive was applied 413 times in a group of 340 patients undergoing extracorporeal circulation whenever conventional suturing appeared impossible, difficult, or dangerous, with a success rate of 95%. Fibrin-presealed woven or knitted fabric was inserted in 60 heparitized patients, 45 of whom underwent cardiac procedures. There was perfect sealing of the fabric in all but one instance. Fibrin gluing has become a routine method, reducing man-hours and blood loss and occasionally salvaging patients' lives. Fibrin-presealed knitted prostheses are expected to replace woven fabric because of its known poor healing qualities.