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. 2018 May-Jun;32(3):625-631.
doi: 10.21873/invivo.11284.

The Use of TissuGlu® Surgical Adhesive for Mastectomy With or Without Lymphonodectomy

Ralf Ohlinger  1 , Leonie Gieron  1 , Rico Rutkowski  2 , Thomas Kohlmann  3 , Marek Zygmunt  1 , Julia Unger  4
Affiliations

The Use of TissuGlu® Surgical Adhesive for Mastectomy With or Without Lymphonodectomy

Ralf Ohlinger et al. In Vivo. 2018 May-Jun.

Abstract

Background/aim: Using drains after breast surgery is a preventive, but invasive measure to reduce seroma formation. A polyurethane-based tissue adhesive (TissuGlu®) might facilitate drainage-free wound healing after mastectomy in a non-invasive manner.

Patients and methods: Retrospectively, data from 84 patients (42 receiving TissuGlu®, 42 receiving a drainage) who underwent mastectomy, were collected (90 days postoperative follow-up). Study endpoints were defined as the number of fluid-related postoperative clinical interventions, cumulative volume of postoperative wound fluid, duration of hospitalization and postoperative complications.

Results: In the entirety of postoperative interventions, no significant difference could be demonstrated (p=0.298). The drainage arm showed significantly less seroma aspirations (p=0.024) and complications (p=0.012). A significantly reduced length of hospitalization (p<0.001) and less cumulative wound secretion volume (p<0.001) appeared in the TissuGlu® group.

Conclusion: The polyurethane-based tissue adhesive is a less invasive alternative to drain use in mastectomy.

Keywords: Breast cancer therapy; TissuGlu; dead space reduction; mastectomy; postoperative complications; seroma formation; surgical adhesive.

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