Evaluation of a fibrin sealant free of bovine-derived components in an experimental vas anastomosis study

Objectives: The risk of transmission of bovine spongiform encephalopathy ca nnot be excluded from the use of bovine-derived products. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the performance of a new fibrin glue free of bo vine-derived components in vas anastomosis and to compare this product to c onventional vas anastomosis with fibrin glue, Methods: Bilateral delayed va s anastomosis was performed in 40 Sprague-Dawley rats. All animals underwen t a fibrin glue-assisted vas anastomosis with three transmural sutures tied prior to fibrin glue application. The composition and preparation of fibri n glue was similar for all vas anastomoses except the fibrinolysis inhibito r component which was aprotinin [3,000 KUI/ml) in group 1 and tranexamic ac id (10 mg/ml) in group 2. The animals (20 rats in both groups) were sacrifi ced 7 weeks postoperatively and evaluated for gross patency, presence of sp erm granuloma and tensile strength measurements at the anastomosis site. Re sults: No difference was found between the 2 groups for all parameters eval uated whether a bovine-derived or a synthetic fibrinolysis inhibitor compon ent was used. Conclusion: This study showed that tranexamic acid, a fibrino lysis inhibitor, can be substituted for conventional fibrin glue thereby av oiding the risks of bovine products, Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel .