Prospective Study on the Impact of the Use of Human Fibrin Sealant free of Clot-Stabilizing Agents in Total Knee Arthroplasty

Objective The present study aimed to evaluate the results of the intraoperative topical use of a human fibrin sealant free of clot-stabilizing agents in total knee arthroplasties (TKAs), looking for differences between groups regarding blood loss, transfusion requirement, length of hospital stay, pain perception, range of motion (ROM), and incidence of complications. Methods We have analyzed prospectively an intervention group with 32 patients (Sealant) and a control group with 31 patients (Control) with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis who underwent TKA. Results The results were similar between the groups regarding visible blood loss in the drain in 24 hours (Control, 276.5 mL ± 46.24 versus Sealant, 365.9 mL ± 45.73), total blood loss in 24 hours (Control, 930 mL ± 78 versus Sealant, 890 mL ± 67) and in 60 hours after surgery (Control, 1,250 mL ± 120 versus Sealant, 1,190 mL ± 96), blood transfusion requirement (which occurred only in 1 control patient), length of hospital days stay (Control, 5.61 ± 0.50 versus Sealant, 4.81 ± 0.36), postoperative pain, and ROM. Sealant use was not related to wound healing complications, to infection, or to deep venous thrombosis. Conclusion We have concluded that the hemostatic agent composed of human fibrin was not effective in reducing bleeding volume and blood transfusion requirement, nor it interfered with hospital length of stay, pain perception, and ROM. Its use was not related to any complications.