Carrier‐bound fibrin sealant compared to oxidized cellulose application after liver resection

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of the study was to compare the incidence of post‐operative complications between those patients that received TachoSil® to the transection surface of the liver vs. those that received Surgicel®.MethodsRetrospective study of a prospective database in a tertiary hospital. Primary endpoints were overall complications. Secondary endpoints were liver surgery‐specific composite endpoint, major complications and hospital stay. Uni‐ and multivariate analysis of predictive factors for complications and subgroup analysis were performed.ResultsOne hundred thirty‐three liver resections were performed between 9 November 2007 and 2 November 2011: 64 with TachoSil® and 69 with Surgicel® application. Both groups were equivalent concerning demographic, clinical and major intra‐operative data. No significant differences were observed in overall complication rate (62.5% vs. 62.3%), liver surgery‐specific composite endpoint (12.5% vs. 18.8%), major complication rate (18.7% vs. 24.6%) and median hospital stay (13 vs. 10 days) for TachoSil® and Surgicel® application, respectively. Predictive factors for complications in multivariate analysis were: American Society of Anesthesiology Score ≥3 and duration of surgery >240 min. Subgroup analysis found a reduced complication rate with TachoSil® for major hepatectomy.ConclusionThe results of the present study suggest that the routine use of TachoSil® after a liver resection does not reduce the overall complication rate compared with Surgicel® application. However, TachoSil® may be beneficial in a major hepatectomy