Fibrin glue has been researched as an alternative method for tissue synthesis and is known for its capability to promote hemostasis at the application site, good approximation of wound edges and fast healing. The current study consisted in the application of fibrin glue derived from snake venom as treatment for experimental corneal ulcers. Twenty-one dogs had their corneas experimentally prepared through lamellar keratectomy (of standardized diameter and depth). Animals were divided into seven groups of three animals each. Six experimental groups were periodically evaluated and collection was carried out on the 1st, 3rd, 7th, 15th, 30th and 60th post-operative days, whereas one control group was evaluated throughout the experiment. Analyses consisted in the clinical evolution and in the histopathological study of all operated on eyes. Results indicated that fibrin glue was efficient in repairing keratectomy wounds in dogs and contributed to an earlier healing phenomenon, avoiding edema formation and keeping corneal clearness. The use of fibrin glue derived from snake venom showed to be easy to apply, feasible with animal models and of low cost, avoiding the lesion progress and allowing fast and appropriate corneal healing.

The authors have performed a literature review of surgical adhesives, such as cyanoacrylate, collagen gelatin, and fibrin glue. They have included different types of commercial and non-commercial fibrin sealants and have reported on the different components in these adhesives, such as fibrinogen, cryoprecipitate, bovine thrombin, and thrombin-like fraction of snake venom.

Fibrin glue has been used on its own or in conjunction with suturing materials to promote hemostasis, reduce adherence, strengthen the wound site, and improve healing. Snake venom derived fibrin glue was evaluated as an alternative to conventional uterine suturing after ovine caesarean surgery. Twenty-eight pregnant ewes of known mating date were used. The animals submitted to conventional caesarean sections showed a better wound healing process. As expected, all the operated animals had retained placenta, compromising coaptation of wound edges. This had a strong influence in the results observed with the animals in which fibrin glue was used. The animals were divided into four groups GI, GII, GIII, and GIV and sacrificed, respectively, 3, 7, 15, and 30 days after surgery for macro and microscopic examination of the uterus. From each group, six animals underwent surgery using fibrin glue and four animals were submitted to comparative conventional hysterorrhaphy using catgut.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the thrombin-like fraction of Crotalus durissus terrificus venom, Reptilase<img SRC="http:/img/fbpe/jvat/v4n2/image119.gif"> , and bovine thrombin of fibrinogen pools on bovine, equine, ovine, bubaline and human cryoprecipitates. The authors also made a comparative study between animal and human cryoprecipitates to see if any there was any possibility of future use in medicine. Fibrinogen levels in cryoprecipitate were studied using 48 blood samples obtained as follows:12 samples from humans, 9 from bovine, 10 from equine, 10 from ovine and 7 from bubaline. The results obtained showed average levels of 375.50 mg % for humans, 218.33 mg % for bovine, 240.80 mg % for equine, 267.70 mg % for ovine and 664.00 mg % for bubaline. Upon the formation of pools of human and animal fibrinogens, the following results were obtained: 435 mg % for humans, 444 mg % for bovine, 337 mg % for equine, 390 mg % for ovine and 530 mg % for bubaline. Statistical analysis (using the analysis of variance for entirely randomized experiment for the calculation of F statistics) demonstrated that the bubaline fibrinogen level was higher than that of human, and both were higher than those of ovine, equine, and bovine. Clotting times were determined using different dilutions of bovine thrombin, thrombin-like fraction of Crotalus durissus terrificus venom, and Reptilase<img SRC="http:/img/fbpe/jvat/v4n2/image119.gif"> . Comparing these clotting times, results for human and bovine were found to be very similar, whereas using equine, ovine, and bubaline the results above a dilution of 1:3 were markedly different. The results obtained permitted the following conclusions to be drawn show that: 1) bovine thrombin presented better interactivity with fibrinogen extracted both from human and bovine cryoprecipitates; 2) there was similar behavior when bovine thrombin was substituted for Reptilase<img SRC="http:/img/fbpe/jvat/v4n2/image119.gif"> and for the thrombin-like fraction of Crotalus durissus terrificus venom; 3) cryoprecipitate from bovine can, in special circumstances, substitute human cryoprecipitate in medical practice; 4) human and bovine cryoprecipitates can be used with both Reptilase<img SRC="http:/img/fbpe/jvat/v4n2/image119.gif"> and Crotalus durissus terrificus fractions using a dilution up to 1:5; 5) the use of bovine cryoprecipitate can be recommended using either bovine thrombin, Reptilase<img SRC="http:/img/fbpe/jvat/v4n2/image119.gif"> , or thrombin-like fraction of Crotalus durissus terrificus venom.