This collection of papers is drawn from the Symposium for Surgical Tissue Adhesives, held in Atlanta from October 8-10, 1993. The articles range from review to new research, covering a variety of topics related to surgical adhesives, including cyanoacrylates, marine adhesive proteins, fibrin-based sealants, and laser solders — a mix of polypeptides and proteoglycans, which integrates with the repair site when laser energy is imparted.

From the Preface: “...The idea of adhering, rather than suturing, packing, or stapling planes of tissue is attractive, in that is is fast-acting and assures complete closure. Numerous technologies have been tried; some with limited success, others outright failures. In short, the perfect adhesive does not exist. Limitations occur in a number of areas: strength, toxicity, degradation, and safety...”

Target Audience: Any researcher, student, or technologist studying the use of adhesives in surgical applications.

Brief Table of Contents:

Adhesive Technologies

Laboratory Evaluation

Laboratory Applications

Clinical Applications and Investigations

Index