Use of autologous fibrin glue in dermatologic surgery: application of skin graft and second intention healing.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficiency of biological sealant, an autologous fibrin glue, in dermatological surgery. DESIGN Randomized clinical trial. SETTING The Dermatology Service of Hospital das Clinicas, Universidade de Campinas (UNICAMP), referral center. PATIENTS 14 patients with malign epithelial cutaneous tumors participated in the evaluation, each having two tumors, generally facial and symmetrical, in order to perform a comparative evaluation on the same individual. PROCEDURES The glue was prepared beforehand with a sample of autologous blood. Surgical extirpation of the tumor was followed by grafts or second intention healing. OUTCOMES The efficiency of the sealant was then evaluated in relation to hemostasis, adhesion, surgical time and evolution of the granulation tissue, clinically and histologically. RESULTS Immediate hemostasis and graft adhesion, with a significant reduction of surgical time, and in the open wounds there was immediate hemostasis and a clinical increase in granulation tissue, but with no histological differences among the groups on the 7th day. CONCLUSION It is an adjuvant resource in skin cancer surgery.