ABSTRACT
Fibrin sealant has been quite useful for hemostasis in many surgical applications. Attempts to use this process for tissue bonding are only partly successful. A modification of this technique, termed “laser soldering,” involves the addition of substrate to the weld site to increase weld strength. Despite these advantages, solder performance has been highly variable. Fibrin adhesive and staple closure were compared to laser soldering with cryoprecipitate and with a new laser solder for closure of skin incisions in the rat model. Soldering was performed by applying a thin layer of the solder material to the apposed skin edges. The solder was then exposed to laser light until lightening and shrinkage were maximal but before any charring or desiccation were produced. This represented the end point of welding. The laser soldering produces superior weld strength compared with fibrin sealant. However, most clinically available lasers, as well as electrocautery units, are capable of performing soldering.
