The effectiveness of fibrin sealants in head and neck surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Fibrin sealants are increasingly used in head and neck surgery to aid hemostasis, but individual studies lack conclusive evidence. This systematic review investigates their effectiveness compared to placebo or usual care in head and neck surgery. METHODS: Studies comparing fibrin sealant to placebo or usual care in patients 18 years or older who have undergone soft tissue surgery of the head and neck with drain placement were included. Primary outcomes include wound complications and time to surgical drain removal postoperatively. Secondary outcomes include length of hospital stay, drain volume output, surgical management of hematoma, blood transfusion rates, and adverse reactions. Electronic databases were searched on October 2023 for randomized controlled and quasi-experimental studies. Studies underwent independent screening, review, and appraisal by two reviewers using JBI appraisal tools. Certainty was assessed with GRADE, and meta-analysis was conducted using JBI SUMARI, presenting effect sizes as relative risk ratios or mean differences with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Fourteen studies were included examining 904 patients. The fibrin sealant group exhibited reduced postoperative wound complications (hematoma, seroma, wound dehiscence, wound infection) (RR = 0.64, 95% CI = 0.45-0.92), shorter drain removal times (MD = - 0.49 days, 95% CI = - 0.68 to - 0.29), decreased drain output (MD = - 16.52 mL, 95% CI = - 18.56 to - 14.52), and shorter hospital stay (MD = - 0.84 days, 95% CI = - 1.11 to - 0.57) compared to controls. There was no statistically significant difference on the rate of intervention for postoperative hematoma and the rate of adverse reactions. DISCUSSION: Evidence demonstrates with low certainty that fibrin sealant use is associated with a modest reduction in the rate of wound complications, drain duration, and length of stay, and a small reduction in drain volume output. Methodological weaknesses and clinical heterogeneity limit these findings. Further research should focus on enhancing methodological quality and exploring the cost-effectiveness of fibrin sealant use in surgery. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: CRD42023412820. FUNDING: Nil.