Abstract
Patients who undergo soft tissue sarcoma excision accumulate serosanguinous fluid, potentially resulting in a seroma. This can lead to wound complications and delay post-op radiotherapy.
The purpose of this preliminary report is to assess the impact of routine application of Tisseel sealant prior to closure.
We investigated whether the sealant Tisseel is effective as a sealing agent to reduce the duration and volume of serosanguinous fluid drainage. Results were compared with individually matched controls.
Patients were split into 2 groups: those receiving 10mls sealant and those not receiving the sealant. Efficacy was evaluated by the number of days required for wound drainage, the volume of fluid drainage and the length of stay compared with matched controls.
The preliminary findings suggest that application of the sealant reduced the duration and quantity of fluid drainage after excision of the STS, allowing earlier discharge from hospital.
We present this work to suggest that the members of the British Orthopaedic Oncology Society should consider using this in a randomised controlled trial setting to evaluate its efficacy nationally.
Correspondence should be addressed to BOOS at the Royal College of Surgeons, 35–43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PE, England.
