Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Currently, fibrin glue play a hemostasis role through wound smearing; however, studies about injection of fibrin glue into the bone cavity are rare. 
OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of injecting fibrin glue directly into the sternum for hemostasis in elder patients with osteoporosis during coronary artery bypass.
METHODS: Forty-eight elder patients with severe osteoporosis, aged over 75 years, undergoing the coronary artery bypass were randomly divided into 2 groups using random digits table: experimental group and control group. Fibrin glue injected directly into the sternum in the experimental group; bone wax was used to stop bleeding in the control group. The drainage volume within the first 12 hours, total postoperative volume, the time of removing the drainage tube, wound healing condition were recorded and observed.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: As compared with the control group, the drainage volume within the first 12 hours and total volume, the time of removing the drainage tube and the time of discharge were obviously decreased in the experimental group  (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference in the time of continuous fever and the number of patients with postoperative sternal rupture between the two groups. In the control group, there was 1 case of wound infection and dehiscence. No adverse effects were found in the experimental group. It is indicated that direct injection of fibrin glue into the sternum can decrease the occurrence of hemorrhage and complications, and have no effect on sternum healing in elder patients with severe osteoporosis during coronary artery bypass.