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Fibrin glue use in facelifts reduces risk of hematoma, not seroma

Researchers found hematoma formation greatly decreased when fibrin glue was used in facelift procedures; however, fibrin glue use did not reduce seroma development rates.

In a literature review, seven randomized, controlled trials were identified through a PubMed search of the MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane databases using the key terms “rhytidectomy and platelet rich plasma,” “face lift and platelet rich plasma,” “rhytidectomy and fibrin glue,” “facelift and fibrin glue” and “tissue glue and facelift.” The seven studies, which measured outcomes of fibrin glue use in facelifts, were used to determine the pooled relative risk of complications and confidence intervals.

Using the DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model to perform a meta-analysis of the clinical trial data, the researchers observed a statistically significant reduction in hematoma from the use of fibrin glue. No significant difference was found for the occurrence of seroma, according to the researchers.

The meta-analysis results demonstrated that sides of faces treated with fibrin glue were four times less likely to develop hematoma than sides treated with standard care.

In facelifts, hematoma is the most frequent cause of morbidity and patient dissatisfaction, according to the researchers.

Previous trials on fibrin glue in rhytidectomies have generally had smaller sample sizes, which makes this meta-analysis significant, according to the researchers. - by Abigail Sutton

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.