The use of Tisseel™ fibrin sealant in selective neck dissection--a retrospective study in a tertiary Head and Neck Surgery centre.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To determine the feasibility of drain-free surgery in selective neck dissection (SND) by investigating the effects of the use of synthetic fibrin glue Tisseel™ on the drain output and overall wound healing. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case review. SETTING: Tertiary referral unit in Head and Neck surgery. PARTICIPANTS: The case notes of 30 patients who had undergone SND in levels I to IV were examined and compared. Tisseel was applied prior to wound closure in fifteen patients only. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Drain output, number of days of drain in situ and total number of days of hospitalisation as well as complications rate and type between the Tisseel and non-Tisseel groups. RESULTS: Patients who had Tisseel applied in the wound had a mean drain output of 67.1 ml, which was significantly lower than 174.4 ml in patients who did not have it. Patients in the Tisseel group had the drain in situ for a shorter period and were hospitalised for fewer days than the ones in the non-Tisseel group. CONCLUSIONS: The use of Tisseel in SND resulted in lower drain output and shorter period of drain in situ and hospitalisation. There was no additional morbidity or complication associated with its use, and the initial conclusion is that this technique may have benefits not only to patient recovery but also for healthcare providers as they could potentially reduce the overall costs of surgery by reducing the length of hospital stay.