L. Giovannacci et al., Reduction of groin lymphatic complications by application of fibrin glue: Preliminary results of a randomized study, ANN VASC S, 15(2), 2001, pp. 182-185
Lymphoceles and lymph fistulas are common complications after exposure of t
he common femoral artery in the Scarpa triangle because of operative transs
ection of overlying lymphatics. The purpose of this prospective randomized
study was to determine the incidence of groin lymphatic complications and t
o assess the impact of routine application of fibrin glue on lymphatic stru
ctures and subcutaneous tissue prior to closure. All patients undergoing ex
posure of the common femoral artery in the Scarpa triangle were included in
this study. They were divided into two groups according to closure techniq
ue. In group A, closure was performed without fibrin glue. In Group B, fibr
in glue was applied to lymphatic structures prior to closure. The efficacy
of fibrin glue application was estimated on the basis of two criteria: inci
dence of local complications and amount of lymphatic fluid in the Redon dra
in. The preliminary findings suggest that application of fibrin glue leads
to a significant reduction in the incidence of lymphatic complications afte
r femoral artery exposure in the Scarpa triangle.