[Radical prostatectomy and biologic glue]

Abstract

Fibrin glue (reconstituted fibrin glue-Tissu-col-Immuno-France) was used in 24 patients following radical prostatectomy with ilio-obturator lymphadenectomy (Group II) to improve haemostasis of the operative field, to decrease or eliminate lymphatic oozing and to promote healing of the urethrovesical anastomosis. The results in terms of duration of drainage, quantity of fluid evacuated by these drains, operative complications and length of hospital stay were compared to those obtained in 24 clinically identical patients operated previously without the use of fibrin glue (Group I). Although fibrin glue is easy to use, ensures a particularly dry operative field at the end of the operation and does not induce any infectious complications (abscess, hepatitis), it increases the cost of the operation (5 ml vial = 2,500 FF) and the use of this product does not reduce the drainage time (Group I: 7 +/- 4.6 days; Group II: 8.5 +/- 5.4 days) the volume of blood or lymphatic discharge (Group I: 500 +/- 570 ml; Group II: 660 +/- 825 ml) or the length of hospital stay (Group I: 16.5 +/- 4.8 days; Group II: 17.4 +/- 5.5 days). These results argue against the routine use of fibrin glue in radical prostatectomy.