Splenic repair by fibrin tissue adhesive and collagen fleece.

A new biogenic tissue adhesive has been used for repair of traumatic and incidental splenic lesions in 108 patients. The theoretical basis of fibrin adhesive application and technical details of this method, including the combination with a collagen fleece, are described. Complete hemostasis was achieved in 100 patients. In incidental splenic lesions the success rate of the method was 94%, and the overall salvage rate 87%. The corresponding figures for traumatic lesions were 87% and 60%, respectively. Postoperative complications developed in five patients, necessitating relaparotomy in four. In three of these patients complications were not related to the splenic repair. It can be concluded that the use of fibrin tissue adhesive is a safe and reliable method for repair in the majority of incidental and traumatic splenic injuries.