The use of fibrin glue in skin grafts and tissue-engineered skin replacements: A review

Fibrin glue has been widely used as an adhesive in plastic and reconstructi ve surgery. This article reviews the advantages and disadvantages of its us e with skin grafts and tissue-engineered skin substitutes. Fibrin glue has been shown to improve the percentage of skin graft take, especially when as sociated with difficult grafting sites or sites associated with unavoidable movement. Evidence also suggests improved hemostasis and a protective effe ct resulting in reduced bacterial infection. Fibrin, associated with fibron ectin, has been shown to support keratinocyte and fibroblast growth both in vitro and in vivo, and may enhance cellular motility in the wound. When us ed as a delivery system for cultured keratinocytes and fibroblasts, fibrin glue may provide similar advantages to those proven with conventional skin grafts. Fibrin glue has also been shown to be a suitable delivery vehicle f or exogenous growth factors that may, in the future be used to accelerate w ound healing.