Snake venom derived fibrin adhesive in dog uterine healing: biomechanical study

ORIGINAL PAPER

Snake venom derived fibrin adhesive in dog uterine healing. Biomechanical study

Moraes J. R. E.^I; Camplesi A. C.^I; Correia P. H. A.^I; Shimano A. C.^II; Ferraro G. C.^I; Moraes F. R.^I

^IDepartment of Veterinary Pathology (DPVE), School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences (FCAV), São Paulo State University (UNESP), Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil

^IILaboratory of Bioenginnering, Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine (FMRP), São Paulo University (USP), Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil

^{Correspondence}

ABSTRACT

Healing is a complex process with many interfering factors. The objective of this work was to evaluate regeneration strength of non-pregnant adult dog uterus when snake venom derived fibrin adhesive is used to reinforce hysterorrhaphy. Maximum limit and rigidity were analyzed. Twenty uterine horns from 10 dogs were hysterotomized and distributed into 2 equal groups. Hysterorrhaphy was performed using the Shimieden-Cushing double layer suture. In one group, animals received snake venom derived fibrin adhesive as reinforcement. Although neither variable was significantly different, our results showed higher rigidity values in the adhesive group. This can be attributed to the adhesive’s effect on organ elasticity or to more granulation tissue formed in the uterine scar.

Key words: biomechanical properties, healing, dog uterus, fibrin adhesive, snake venom.

INTRODUCTION

The reliable way to determine the mechanical properties of biological materials is by standard mechanical tests, which provide comparable and reproducible results (24). The strength in the adhesion and healing of sutures can be evaluated with mechanical traction tests. In these, material is submitted to two opposing forces, applied at different points and in opposite directions causing longitudinal stretching and transverse reduction. This provides a curve (load x deformation), which for small forces, is a straight line (elastic phase), corresponding to deformation proportional to force, followed by a curve (plastic phase), in which there is no proportionality between deformation and force (3).

Maximum limit is the maximum tension that the material can bear prior to rupturing. It can be determined from maximum deformation and load recorded in each test; rigidity is material specific and equal to the modulus of elasticity, which is the ratio between tension and deformation during the material's elastic phase (24).

The more mechanical characteristics grouped in traction tests of a specific biological material, the more conclusive the test, as it is believed to be closer to real functional conditions (16). This way, several conditions have been tested in different tissues such as muscle, ligaments, tendons, etc.

In this work we studied the maximum limit and rigidity of mechanical traction in dog uterus hysterorrhaphy with and without snake venom derived fibrin adhesive used as a reinforcing agent.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ten non-pregnant adult crossbred female dogs were used. They were kept in kennels, receiving a balanced diet of food and water ad libitum. The animals were randomly assigned into two experimental groups of 10 uterine horns each: (G1) hysterotomy and hysterorrhaphy; (G2) hysterotomy, hysterorraphy and fibrin adhesive.

After 12-hour fasting, the animals were anesthetized using chlorpromazine (1mg/Kg) with tiletamine and zolazepam (10mg/Kg). Animals underwent laparotomy after a midline abdominal incision in sterile conditions, and bilateral hysterotomy (longitudinal incision of 3cm) followed by hysterorrhaphy with Shimieden-Cushing double-layer suture (29) and 3-0 Vycril^® (Ethicon^®, Johnson & Johnson – SP) on an atraumatic needle. The fibrin adhesive was applied to the suture in G2. The fibrin adhesive consists of equal amounts of cryoprecipitate and venom fraction, previously diluted in calcium chloride, and mixed together at time of application (27). Conventional laparorrhaphy, subcutaneous and skin suture were performed on all the animals.

Post-operative care consisted of daily change of dressing and antibiotics for 7 days (penicillin benzathine 40,000UI/Kg). On the 15^th post-operative day, the animals underwent another laparotomy with ovariohysterectomy, the suture dehiscence, adherence, organ constriction, and color were macroscopically evaluated. Approximately 8-cm segments of the uterine horns were separated, washed, immersed in 0.9% saline solution, and frozen until day of traction tests.

Biomechanical tests were performed in a Universal Test Machine (UTM) to evaluate organ rupture site suture line for maximum limit (maximum load and deformation) and rigidity. Both ends of the uterine horn samples were fastened in jaws set at a standard 4cm apart. Jaws were aligned so that load was applied longitudinally. For the reading of loads, we utilized a load cell (Kratos^®), with capacity of 50 Kgf, associated to an extensometry bridge (Sodomex^®) that was coupled to the UTM. A dial micrometer (Mitutoyo^®; 0.01mm precision) was used to measure deformations at 0.2mm intervals until rupture of the uterine horn. A preload of 120g was applied to all tests, with accommodation time of 60 seconds, in order to eliminate the gross slack between the machine, accessory and sample. During the tests, physiologic solution was dripped on to the samples to prevent dehydrate avoiding possible modification of results.

Statistical analysis was by Student t test with significance considered at 5%.

RESULTS

Macroscopic examination of the uterine horns showed light omental adherences on the suture line; these were more evident in G1 animals. There was also slight fibre thickening due to the healing process.

The load x deformation curves from the biomechanical study are shown in Figure 1.

In G1, 2 (25%) fragments ruptured close to the clamp, 2 (25%) at one end of the suture, 1 (12.5%) on the suture line, and 3 (37.5%) distal to the suture line. In G2, 1 (11.1%) fragment ruptured close to the clamp, 3 (33.3%) at one end of the suture, 1 (11.1%) on the suture line, and 4 (44.4%) distal to the suture line (Table 1; Figure 2).

At the maximum limit, the mean and standard deviations for uterine horn maximum load in G1 was 11.60 ± 4.07 N, and in G2 was 11.96 ± 2.81 N. There was no significant difference between groups (P>0.05; t=0.8454), which indicates that fibrin adhesive did not influence the maximum load supported by uterine horns (Figure 3). Mean maximum uterine horn deformation in G1 was 11.50 ± 3.27 x10^-3m and in G2, 9.93 ± 4.61 x10^-3m. There was no significant difference between groups (P>0.05; t=0.4434), which indicates no difference in stretching resistance between groups (Figure 3).

Mean rigidity for uterine horns in G1 was 941.74 N/m and in G2, 1252.93 N/m. There was no significant difference between groups (P>0.05; t=0.1221). However in absolute numbers, G2 values were higher, which can be attributed to the loss of elasticity, probably due to more granulation tissue formed because of the fibrin in the adhesive (Figure 3).

DISCUSSION

Most surgical wounds require constant and efficient mechanical support to keep the wound edges together during healing; suture is the preferred method (25). Fibrin glue has been used in place of or as reinforcement for suture to promote hemostasis, reduce adherence, strengthen the wound site, and improve healing (6).

In addition to hemostatic properties, fibrin also promotes wound healing. It is an essential component in wound healing as it influences the formation of a lattice for fibroblast migration and hemostasis (13). The idea of using fibrin adhesive to promote faster and more efficient healing is of great interest to medical-surgical researchers. Fibrin adhesives have a hemostatic effect and good tissue adhesion, with no side effects or carcinogenic action (18).

In the 70's, fibrin glue composed of fibrinogen, factor XIII, aprotinin, fibronectin, plasminogen, thrombin, and calcium chloride was extensively studied (8). Its advantages were fast tissue repair, preventing extravasation of organ contents, and rapid hemostasis (7). Several beneficial effects have been reported with fibrin glue: reinforcement of esophagic anastomosis, closing of bronchopleural fistulae (1), and the treatment of hemoptisis in intrabronchial endoscopy (2). In gastrointestinal surgery, fibrin glue is mainly used in intestinal anastomoses and liver biopsy. It is also used in hepatic laparoscopy (10), and is successfully used to control bleeding in esophagic and secondary varices of portal hypertension (19).

A useful model to investigate uterine wounds was developed in rats. Incisions (10mm) were made in the uterus of non-pregnant animals, and commercially available fibrin glue was used (Tissucol Duo^®). The authors concluded that fibrin associated with tissue necrosis factor a (TNF a) has an important effect only during the initial phase of wound healing (23).

Fibrin glue derived from snake venom has been tested in different situations both in experimental animals (9, 11, 15, 21, 22, 27, 28, 31, 32) and humans (20, 26).

Snake venom derived fibrin glue was evaluated as an alternative to conventional uterine suture after ovine caesarean surgery in pregnant ewes of known mating date. The animals submitted to conventional caesarean sections presented a better wound healing. All operated animals had retained placenta, and compromised wound edge coaptation, mainly in fibrin glue animals (6). The advantages of fibrin glue include tissue compatibility, biodegradability, and efficacy when applied to humid or highly vascularized surfaces (5); therefore further studies on its use in past caesarean hysterorrhaphy in different animal species are needed (6).

The use of snake venom derived fibrin glue in the healing process after non-pregnant canine hysterorrhaphy was evaluated. Results indicated that fibrin glue produced less inflammation in the exudative phase, and increased connective tissue deposition and angiogenesis in the proliferative and maturation phases, favoring evolution (17).

Significant advances in anesthesia and surgical sepsis have made laparohysterotomy a common veterinary obstetric procedure. Perfect uterine healing after caesarean section is pivotal for future pregnancy (30). However, despite its clinical importance, studies on the biology of wound healing in uterotomy are rare (23).

Several factors can influence uterine healing after caesarian section, such as thread type and suture pattern (25). Endocrine stimuli (12) and adequate blood supply (14) also influence uterus healing. Local factors such as perfect homeostasis, regular wound borders, in both the superficial and deep planes, and adequate sutures and slight tension on the wound borders are needed for a good repair (4).

There was no statistical difference between groups for: maximum load, showing that the force sustained by uterine horns in both groups was practically the same, with no influence from fibrin adhesive on the suture; maximum deformation, which indicates that the resistance of uterine horns to stretching (traction) did not change with the addition of adhesive; and rigidity, although in absolute numbers, was higher for the fibrin reinforced group – what has not been reported in literature. This could be associated with the loss of elasticity and formation of more granulation tissue in this group. The role of fibrin in promoting granulomatous healing tissue has already been confirmed by other authors. It participates in the formation of a true network, uniting wound borders, permitting and facilitating transit, adherence, migration, proliferation, and differentiation of repair cells such as fibroblasts and endothelial cells (34). These data are supported by other authors who infer the participation of fibrin in healing (15, 22, 26, 33, 34).

It has also been suggested that the fibrin in the adhesives helps to form a conjunctive lattice where cells proliferate to form a scar. The action of the adhesive is probably due to the fibrin incorporation in the extracellular conjunctive matrix (31), forming a higher scar granulation tissue. Fibroplasia is favored by fibrin, as observed in a previous histological study (17).

Healing is known to offer higher resistance at the suture site; it is therefore important to evaluate the influence of fibrin on the suture. The farther the suture line is from the organ rupture, the more resistant the hysterorrhaphy; therefore rupture distal to the stitch was preferred. Rupture site results show that using fibrin adhesive as reinforcement to the suture line makes it more resistant and therefore beneficial.

CONCLUSIONS

There was no statistically significant difference between hysterorrhaphy only and hysterorrhaphy plus fibrin adhesive for the two biomechanical properties analyzed.

The use of fibrin adhesive as suture reinforcement minimizes the formation of adherences on the suture line, as seen in the macroscopic evaluation of the uterus.

Fibrin adhesive can be used as an adjuvant and sealant in dog uterus, providing higher rigidity and promising results.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors express their thanks to the State of São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) for financing this study; Center for the Study of Venoms and Venomous Animals (CEVAP), São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil; Laboratory of Micology, Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (FCF), São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil; Laboratory of Division into Fractions, Blood Bank, Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine (FMRP), São Paulo University (USP), Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil; Laboratory of Bioenginnering, Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine (FMRP), São Paulo University (USP), Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.

Received: May 5, 2004

Accepted: June 2, 2004

Published online: March 3, 2005

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Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  03 May 2005
• Date of issue
  June 2005

History

• Received
  05 May 2004
• Accepted
  02 June 2004