Jm. Albes et al., BIOPHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF THE GELATIN-RESORCINOL-FORMALDEHYDE GLUTARALDEHYDE ADHESIVE, The Annals of thoracic surgery, 56(4), 1993, pp. 910-915
Refixation of dissected aortic layers with gelatin-resorcin-formaldehy
de/glutaraldehyde (GRFG) adhesive represents a new option in the surgi
cal treatment of aortic dissection. Because of its ability to reinforc
e the delicate structures of the acutely dissected aortic wall, GRFG h
as been used increasingly in recent years. However, the biomechanical
properties of the adhesive are still unclear, and little is known rega
rding the optimal mode of its application. In an ex vivo study, aortic
specimens from sheep were glued with warm (45-degrees-C) adhesive und
er wet and dry conditions and submitted to defined degrees of compress
ion (5 Newtons [N], 20 N). Bonded specimens were retracted to assess t
ensile strength and elasticity compared with two reference adhesives:
cyanoacrylate gel and' fibrin glue. Gelatin-resorcin-formaldehyde/glut
araldehyde and cyanoacrylate gel showed similar results at 5 N. Both p
rovided better adhesion when applied under dry conditions (GRFG 5 N: d
ry, 3.5 +/- 1.6 N/cm2; wet, 1.4 +/- 1.0 N/CM2; cyanoacrylate gel 5 N:
dry, 4.8 +/- 1.8 N/cM2; wet, 3.2 +/- 1.3 N/cM2) . At 20 N, GRFG tensil
e strength was significantly increased for either condition compared w
ith values at 5 N (GRFG 20 N: dry, 17.1 +/- 4.2 N/cm2; wet, 4.8 +/- 1.
8 N/cm2). Fibrin glue demonstrated only weak adhesive properties even
under dry conditions (fibrin glue 5 N: dry, 0.8 +/- 0.3 N/cm2). Gelati
n-resorcin-formaldehyde/glutaraldehyde has good adhesive properties bo
th in wet and dry tissue. Bonding capacity can be substantially increa
sed when applied on dry surfaces and at increased pressures.