COMPARISON OF HISTOLOGIC-FINDINGS IN WOUND-HEALING OF RABBIT SCLERAL HOMOGRAFTS WITH FIBRIN GLUE (TISSEEL(R)) AND SUTURE MATERIAL

BACKGROUND: This study was performed to observe the histological diffe rences of scleral homografts with fibrin glue and with suture material and to evaluate the effect of fibrin glue on wound healing as a fixat ion method in rabbits. Rabbits were divided into two groups: a suture group, using 10-0 nylon sutures, and a fibrin glue group, using Tissee l(R). METHODS: At 1, 7, 14, 30, and 90 days after scleral graft, the t issues of grafted rabbit scleras were examined under light microscope after staining with hematoxylin-eosin. RESULTS: In the scleral homogra ft, fibrin glue induced hemostasis and inhibited the inflammatory proc ess. At 7 days, aggregation of fibroblasts was more prominent at the f ibrin glue site than at the suture site. At 14 days, a larger number o f fibroblasts and more collagen fibril bundles were seen at the inters pace between donor and recipient scleras in the fibrin glue group than in the suture group. At 1 month, more condensed collagen was seen in the fibrin glue group. At 3 months, the interspace between graft and r ecipient tissues showed complete wound healing with well-arranged, con densed collagen fibril bundles in the fibrin glue group. CONCLUSION: T hese findings suggest that fibrin glue may promote hemostasis as well as collagen formation by fibroblasts and inhibit the inflammatory proc ess in scleral homografts.