Novel synthetic adhesive as an effective alternative to Fibrin based adhesives

AIM: To compare a novel, fully synthetic, polyurethane based glue (MAR-1) to fibrin sealant in a partial liver resection rat model. METHODS: After 50% resection of the lateral left liver lobe in male Wistar rats (n = 7/group/time point), MAR-1, Fibrin or NaCl was applied. After 14, 21 and 90 postoperative days, sealant degradation, intra-abdominal adhesions were scored, and histological examination of liver tissue was performed. RESULTS: (Mean ± SEM) (MAR-1 vs Fibrin vs NaCl). Bleeding mass was significantly higher in NaCl (3.36 ± 0.51 g) compared to MAR-1 (1.44 ± 0.40 g) and Fibrin (1.16 ± 0.32 g). At 14 and 90 d, bleeding time was significantly lower in MAR-1 (6.00 ± 0.9 s; 13.57 ± 3.22 s) and Fibrin (3.00 ± 0.44 s; 22.2 ± 9.75 s) compared to NaCl (158.16 ± 11.36 s; 127.5 ± 23.3 s). ALT levels were significantly higher in MAR-1 (27.66 ± 1 U/L) compared to Fibrin (24.16 ± 0.98 U/L) and NaCl (23.85 ± 0.80 U/L). Intrabdominal adhesions were significantly lower in MAR-1 (11.22% ± 5.5%) compared to NaCl (58.57% ± 11.83%). Degradation of the glue was observed and MAR-1 showed almost no traces of glue in the abdominal cavity as compared to the Fibrin (10% ± 5% 14 d; 7% ± 3% 21 d). Survival showed no significant differences between the groups. CONCLUSION: Compared to Fibrin, MAR-1 showed similar hemostatic properties, no adverse effects, and is biocompatible. Further studies on adhesion strength and biodegradability of synthetic sealants are warranted.