FIBRIN-GLUE-COATED COLLAGEN FLEECE IN LUNG SURGERY - EXPERIMENTAL COMPARISON WITH INFRARED COAGULATION AND CLINICAL-EXPERIENCE

Diffuse parenchymal bleeding and major air leaks still present a chall enge to the thoracic surgeon. This study was therefore designed to eva luate efficacy and handling of fibrin-glue-coated collagen fleece, to address these problems.In an experimental part defects were produced i n lungs of troll pigs to compare the use of the fleece with infrared c oagulation. Immediate airtightness and postoperative adhesions were ev aluated. Scores were designed to evaluate quality and extension of the adhesions. In a clinical study parenchymal resection sites were seale d with fibrin-glue-coated collagen fleece in 52 patients. No patient s uffered from postoperative bleeding. In three cases air leaks were sti ll present on the third postoperative day, representing a 5.8% failure rate. 92.3% of the patients showed neither postoperative hemorrhage n or prolonged air leaks. A fixed combination of collagen fleece and fib rin glue consequently can be considered as a valuable tool in thoracic surgery.