Fibrin Sealing in Surgical and Nonsurgical Fields

These eight volumes, which developed out of the international con­ gress "Update and Future Trends in Fibrin Sealing in Surgical and Nonsurgical Fields" held in November 1992, attempt to present the state of the art concerning fibrin sealing. These eight volumes, which developed out of the international con­ gress "Update and Future Trends in Fibrin Sealing in Surgical and Nonsurgical Fields" held in November 1992, attempt to present the state of the art concerning fibrin sealing. Initially fibrin sealant played an important role in surgery. During the past few years, however, it has been increasingly used in nonsurgical applications, and we can now say that it has become a component of medicine in general. The doubts about the efficacy of fibrin sealant, which had been raised by nonusers, are no longer valid. The correct indication and method­ ology continue to be basic prerequisites, and even today - after 20 years of fibrin sealant renaissance - the three most prominent effects of fibrin sealant still retain their validity: hemostasis, sealing and sup­ port of wound healing. The problems posed by the transmission of viral infections have gained substantially in importance because of the potential transmission of AIDS via fibrin sealant. Fortunately the transmission of AIDS via fi­ brin sealant is today so unlikely that it no longer poses a cause for con­ cern. This does not mean, however, that research in this field can be discontinued.

These eight volumes, which developed out of the international congress "Update and Future Trends in Fibrin Sealing in Surgical and Nonsurgical Fields" held in November 1992, present the state of the art in fibrin sealing. Initially, fibrin sealant played an important role in surgery. During the past few years, it has been increasingly applied nonsurgically and we can now say that it has become an integral component of medical treatment. The doubts which have been raised by nonusers about the efficacy of fibrin sealant are no longer valid. The correct indication and technique continue to be basic prerequisites for effective treatment. Even today - 20 years after fibrin sealant was first used - the three most prominent effects of fibrin sealant are still hemostasis, sealing of the wound, and support of wound healing. The problems posed by the transmission of viral infections have gained substantially in importance because of the potential transmission of AIDS via fibrin sealant. Fortunately, this is so unlikely today that it no longer represents a cause for concern, which does not mean, however, that research in this field can be discontinued.