Fibrin glue as agent for sealing corneal and conjunctival wound leaks

Abstract

PurposeTo describe a novel use of fibrin glue in managing leaking blebs and leaking wounds following trauma or surgery.MethodsInterventional case series.ResultsWe report eight patients, including three where intra-operative or immediate post-penetrating keratoplasty recalcitrant leaks from the graft-host junction and/or openings created by the needle pass, were noted. All three had thin recipient beds in the sector of leak. This was managed by intra-cameral injection of fibrin glue in the affected quadrant. This stopped the leak and allowed the defect to heal. One patient of Descemets-stripping-endothelial-keratoplasty had leak from the surgical wound, which was also sealed with fibrin glue. Two patients with leaking glaucoma-surgery-related blebs were treated with intra-bleb injection of fibrin glue to stop the leak. One patient with a penetrating corneal injury with a metal wire had a brisk leak upon removal of the wire. This was sealed with fibrin glue. Another patient of chemical burn with spontaneous leaks was managed by glue injection in the perforations. Transient rise of intraocular pressure in one patient with a leaking bleb was the only adverse event recorded.ConclusionThis novel adaptation of the application of fibrin glue can help to deal with persistent intra-operative, post-operative and traumatic aqueous and air leaks.