Tissue Glue Rather Than Drains (?!)

There is an old surgical adage:

If a surgeon thinks that the patient might benefit from a drain, he should put it in.  A surgeon never regrets placing a drain.

Patients, however, hate drains.  They are a post-operative nuisance.  Most patients grudgingly accept drains because they minimize fluid collections (called seromata) and infections.

Since drains are so uncomfortable, there have been a number of products and techniques developed to obviate the need for drains....

• Quilting sutures beneath tissue flaps to minimize "dead space"
• Tissue glues

Biological tissues glues are particularly exciting because they are quick, effective, and precise.  Unfortunately, there have been no specific research studies which have rigorously documented the safety and efficacy of biological glues for plastic surgery.  A study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in 2008 proved the success of tissue glues in a canine abdominoplasty ("tummy tuck") model; however, dog and human tissues do respond differently, and the results of an animal model can not necessarily be generalized to human beings.

To investigate human plastic surgery patients' response to biological glues, Cohera Medical, Inc., has just enrolled its first few patients in a study of its TissuGlu.  The clinical investigation is a prospective, open-label, randomized study to investigate the safety of TissuGlu, its effect on wound drainage, and its relationship to complications.  The study will compare 40 abdominoplasty patients in Bonn, Frankfurt, and Freiburg, Germany, who will undergo...

standard wound closure techniques versus

standard wound closure techniques plus the application of TissuGlu

Currently, patients who undergo abdominoplasties require the insertion of one or more drains to remove fluids that accumulate under the skin at the surgical site.  (The old surgical adage remains true in tummy tucks!)  However, TissuGlu will hopefully adhere the flaps created during the procedure to reduce fluid accumulation, and, ultimately, the duration of use of surgical drains.  With the use of TissuGlu, patients may experience a reduction in fluid accumulation, a more comfortable recovery, and a quicker return to normal activity.

If the European trial goes favorably, Cohera will apply for a larger U.S.-based trial later this year.  Let's say our prayers that TissuGlu works!...

Comments

[Ardmore Tummy Tuck]

Using TissueGlu after a procedure such as a tummy tuck is a real advantage based on clinical trials done by the Mayo Clinic in 2009 and the results came out good. They tried them not only on people receiving an Abdominoplasty, but also for cardiac and a leg procedure. This, I hope, will replace sutures and light stapling. It's beneficial for drainage and for reduction in scarring.

[San Diego Plastic Surgery]

It looks like this company is also working on an adhesive for repairing small bones. The idea is to move away from the use of pins and screws which are very difficult to use accurately on that scale.

Apparently, current bone adhesives on the market don't provide sufficient bonding power and also don't reabsorb into the body allowing a full integration of the healed bones. If this product proves safe and effective under FDA guidelines, it might actually be used for more than healing breaks. I can see how this type of product might also be beneficial in reconstructive surgery for children who are born with atypical hand structure.

D. McCarty

[Michael Pickart]

Thanks for the latest update regarding tissue glues. New technology is exciting!

Michael C. Pickart, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Pickart Plastic Surgery, Inc.

428 Poli St.,#2C, Ventura, CA 93001
(805) 648-4567 | fax (805) 641-0811

To: info@pickartplasticsurgery.com