THE USE OF SNAKE VENOM DERIVED FIBRIN GLUE IN HYSTERORRHAPHY OF OVINE CAESAREAN SURGERY

M. CHALHOUB(1,2), N. C. PRESTES(2), M. D. LOPES(2), N. S. ROCHA(3), I. A. THOMAZINI-SANTOS(4,6), M. J. MENDES-GIANNINI(5,6).

(1)Department of Pathology and Clinics of the School of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia State, Brazil; (2)Department of Animal Reproduction and Veterinary Radiology of the School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry (FMVZ) São Paulo State University (UNESP) at Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil; (3)Department of Veterinary Clinics the School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry (FMVZ) São Paulo State University (UNESP) at Botucatu, São Paulo State Brazil; (4)School of Medicine of Botucatu (FMB) São Paulo State University (UNESP) at Botucatu, São Paulo State Brazil; (5)Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Araraquara, São Paulo State University (UNESP) at Araraquara, São Paulo State, Brazil; (6)Center for the Study of Venoms and Venomous Animals (CEVAP) São Paulo State University (UNESP) at Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil.

ABSTRACT. 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.

KEY WORDS: Fibrin tissue adhesive, viper venoms, uterus/sutures, sheep, fibrin glue.

CORRESPONDENCE TO:

M. CHALHOUB – Departamento de Patologia e Clínicas, Escola de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal da Bahia, CEP 40.000-000, Salvador, Bahia, Brasil. Email chalhoub@ufba.br or cevap@cevap.org.br