Fibrin sealant in breast surgery

Abstract

Recent research has investigated the use of fibrin sealant (FS) in axillary lymph-node dissections performed for staging carcinoma of the breast. The majority of complications of axillary dissections in breast surgery stem from the two factors that influence the formation of seromas, hematomas, and lymphedema: the oozing of small transected vessels and the creation of a reservoir due to the removal of tissue. An effective surgical adhesive could improve hemostasis and tissue adherence, thereby decreasing the frequency of these postoperative problems. This paper reviews the use of fibrin sealant in breast surgery to reduce postoperative serous drainage by improving hemostasis and tissue adherence.