Abstract
Fibrin sealant (Tisseel®) is a newly developed tissue adhesive, a mixture of condensed fibrinogen including factor XIII, thrombin, aprotinin solution and calcium chloride solution. The adhesive process resembles that of coagulation of blood, and the material is finally absorbed while the tissue is being biologically connected. We used this sealer in 23 cases: 13 of middle ear surgery, 1 of closure of the internal auditory canal, 7 of facial nerve surgery, and 2 of closure of CSF fistulae. The results were excellent except in one case in which we attempted to close a dural defect of the internal auditory canal. Handling of the material is complicated, and condensation takes relatively long. But the high reliability of this material and its lack of tissue reaction more than balance these disadvantages. We conclude that the material is useful in many areas of ear and nose surgery.
