Does fibrin glue reduce complications after femoral artery surgery? A randomised trial.
OBJECTIVES: to determine whether application of fibrin glue before closure of inguinal wounds reduces the incidence of lymphatic complications. DESIGN: we a prospective randomised trial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 224 consecutive patients were enrolled. The wounds were randomly assigned to standard closure (group A, n = 134) or closure with application of fibrin glue (group B, n = 132). The incidence of local lymphatic and non-lymphatic complications, the amount of lymphatic fluid collected, and the time to drain removal were compared in the groups. RESULTS: the incidence of lymphatic complications was 19% in group A and 10% in group B (p = 0.027). The average drain output and the time to drain removal did not differ in the two groups. The total incidence of non-lymphatic local complications was 10% and did not differ in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: fibrin glue application is associated with a significant reduction in lymphatic complications.