Mixing collagen with fibrin glue to strengthen the sealing effect for pulmonary air leakage

Background. To strengthen the sealing effect of fibrin glue for pulmonary air leakage, atelocollagen was mixed with the glue and the mixing effect was examined. Methods. A mixture of fibrinogen and thrombin with atelocollagen was used as a test sample. The concentrations of atelocollagen were adjusted to levels of 0%, 0.375%, 0.75%, 1.1%, and 1.5%. We next performed air leakage tests on a plastic cap with pin holes and swine lung and also measured the elasticity and the adhesion strength. Results. The pressure required to rupture the sealant on a plastic cap with pin holes increased as the concentration of atelocollagen increased, and the bursting pressures were significantly higher in the glue with 0.75%, 1.1%, and 1.5% of atelocollagen than in the glue without atelocollagen (p< 0.01 and p< 0.001). The air leakage pressure on the swine lung was significantly higher in the glue with 0.375%, 0.75%, and 1.1% of atelocollagen than in the glue without atelocollagen (p< 0.05 and p< 0.01), and it was the highest with 0.75%. The elasticity of the glue significantly increased as the concentration of atelocollagen increased (p< 0.001). However, the adhesion strength of the glue significantly decreased as the concentration of atelocollagen increased (p< 0.05 to p< 0.001). Conclusions. The mixing of atelocollagen with fibrin glue more effectively sealed pulmonary air leakage due to an increased elasticity of the glue while its adhesion strength decreased. The optimal concentration of atelocollagen in the fibrin glue to obtain the best sealing effect was 0.75%.