Purpose: Fibrin sealant technology has become a useful adjunct in surgical procedures and been used in numerous plastic surgery operations including abdominoplasty, rhytidectomy, and breast reconstruction with latissimus dorsi or TRAM flaps. The sealant is extremely versatile and easy to use. Recently, a method of preparing autologous fibrin sealant was described. Rhytidectomy patients postoperatively are extremely edematous and drainage from the flaps necessitates placement of drains. The purpose of this study is to compare the use of donor-derived and autologous fibrin glue for use in facial rejuvenation and to determine if their use significantly decreases drain output.

Materials and Methods: Thirty five contiguous patients were studied in a retrospective single surgeon chart review as well as twenty consecutive prospective patients using the new autologous fibrin glue. Drain output was recorded for 24 hours by nurses blinded to the study.

Results: The use of fibrin glue, either Tisseel or Harvest, significantly decreases facial edema and drain output. In addition, it provides supplementary fixation to help decrease tension on closure. However, drain output is still significantly high, even with the use of fibrin glue products, and drain elimination should be discouraged.