Reduction of groin lymphatic complications by application of fibrin glue: preliminary results of a randomized study.

Lymphoceles and lymph fistulas are common complications after exposure of the common femoral artery in the Scarpa triangle because of operative transsection of overlying lymphatics. The purpose of this prospective randomized study was to determine the incidence of groin lymphatic complications and to assess the impact of routine application of fibrin glue on lymphatic structures and subcutaneous tissue prior to closure. All patients undergoing exposure of the common femoral artery in the Scarpa triangle were included in this study. They were divided into two groups according to closure technique. In group A, closure was performed without fibrin glue. In Group B, fibrin glue was applied to lymphatic structures prior to closure. The efficacy of fibrin glue application was estimated on the basis of two criteria: incidence of local complications and amount of lymphatic fluid in the Redon drain. The preliminary findings suggest that application of fibrin glue leads to a significant reduction in the incidence of lymphatic complications after femoral artery exposure in the Scarpa triangle.