Fibrin Glue Reduces Intra-Abdominal Adhesions to Synthetic Mesh in a Rat Ventral Hernia Model

Postoperative intra-abdominal adhesions are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. In this study, the effect of topical fibrin glue (FG) on adhesion formation in a rat model was investigated. Forty Sprague-Dawley male rats underwent midline laparotomy. Bilateral peritoneal-muscular abdominal wall defects were created and then replaced with premeasured soft tissue Goretex patches. Rats were randomized to FG sprayed over the patches or to a control group. Two observers blinded to the randomization assessed the severity of adhesions to the patch by scoring the density of adhesions (grades 0–3) and the percentage of the patch area covered by adhesions (0–100%). The mean percentage of the patch covered by adhesions was 32.8 ± 6.1 per cent for the FG group versus 57.9 ± 6.7 per cent for the control group (P < 0.01). The mean density of adhesions for the FG group was 0.95 (±0.17) versus 2.0 (±0.21) for the control group (P = 0.001). Topical FG reduces the severity and density of intra-abdominal adhesions in a rat model.