Studies of a fibrin adhesive on punch wounds in rats

: The efficacy of fibrin adhesive in routine quality control was examined in experimentally induced skin wounds of rats with fixation of punched-out skin pieces. In this rat model the influence of factor XIII, different fibrinogen concentrations, the stability of the dissolved lyophilized components, variation of adhesion time, and of CIG (cold insoluble globulin) was investigated. The adhesive strength was improved by factor XIII (optimum 60 U/ml). Concentrations of fibrinogen lower than 40 mg/ml resulted in insufficient adhesion effects. The stability of the dissolved components could be demonstrated up to 24 h after reconstitution. The adhesive strength improved with increasing time, it should be at least 15 min. No negative influence on tear-off weights were seen after 24 h caused by fibrinolysis. In a modification of the experimental design without fixation of the punched out skin pieces the adhesive was applied once or repeated times on the open wounds. No alteration or support of the normal wound healing was observed.