Fibrin Sealant for the Sealing of Dura Sutures

Inclusion criteria

Preoperative Inclusion Criteria:

• Subjects undergoing elective craniotomy / craniectomy for pathological processes in the posterior fossa (such as benign and malignant tumors, vascular malformations, and Chiari 1 malformations) that result in dura defects requiring dura substitution for closure and who are able and willing to comply with the procedures required by the protocol
• Signed and dated written informed consent from the subject or from his/her legal representative prior to any study-related procedures
• Age >= 3 years, either gender

Intraoperative Inclusion Criteria:

• Surgical Wound Classification Class I and Risk Index Category (RIC) <= 2. Penetration of mastoid air cells during partial mastoidectomy is permitted and will be recorded.
• A patch of autologous fascia or pericranium or suturable collagen-based dura substitute was cut to size and then sutured into the dura defect.
• The hem of native dura exposed along and under the craniotomy edge is wide enough to facilitate suturing and to allow for sufficient surface area for adherence of the investigational product.

Exclusion criteria

Preoperative Exclusion Criteria:

• Female subjects who are breastfeeding, pregnant, or intend to become pregnant during the clinical study period
• Subjects with a dura lesion from a recent surgery that still has the potential for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage unless it can be expected that the lesion will be excised completely, including all old suture holes
• Chemotherapy scheduled within 7 days following surgery
• Radiation therapy to the head scheduled within 7 days following surgery
• Subjects with severely altered renal (serum creatinine > 2 mg/dL) and/or hepatic function [ALT, AST > 5 x upper limit of norm (ULN)]
• Evidence of an infection indicated by any one of the following: fever > 101°F, white blood cell (WBC) count < 3500/μL or > 13000/μL, positive blood culture, positive chest X-ray. A positive urine culture (> 10^5 colony-forming units (CFU)/mL) leads to exclusion unless acute cystitis is the sole cause. Evidence of infection along the planned surgical path. A WBC count of < 20000/μL is permitted if the patient is being treated with steroids in the absence of all the other infection parameters.
• Conditions compromising the immune system; existence of autoimmune disease
• Known hypersensitivity to aprotinin or other components of the investigational product
• Non-compliant or insufficient treatment of diabetes mellitus [glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) > 7.5%]
• Hydrocephalus, except occlusive hydrocephalus caused by posterior fossa pathology to be treated
• Existing CSF (ventricular, etc.) drains. Burr holes are permitted as long as the dura remains intact. Cushing cannulation excludes the subject.
• Female subjects of childbearing potential with a positive urine or serum pregnancy test within 24 hours prior to surgery
• Participation in another clinical trial with exposure to another investigational drug or device within 30 days prior to enrollment
• Scheduled or foreseeable surgery within the follow-up period

Intraoperative Exclusion Criteria:

• Dura injury during craniotomy / craniectomy that cannot be eliminated by recreating a sufficiently wide native dura hem
• Failure to administer preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis
• Use of implants made of synthetic materials coming into direct contact with dura (e.g., polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) patches, shunts, ventricular and subdural drains)
• Placement of Gliadel wafers
• Chiari 1 subjects without injury to the arachnoid
• Persistent signs of increased brain turgor
• Use of product(s) other than FS VH S/D 500 s-apr for the sealing of dura sutures, including packing with Gelfoam
• Brain surface visible between suture loops as a manifestation of increased suture tension
• CSF leakage from completed dura sutures presenting as dripping drops, growing beads or running trickles. Slight oozing is consistent with successful dura repair and will not lead to exclusion.
• Intersecting durotomy scars in the surgical path from a previous operation that cannot be completely removed by the planned dura resection
• Dura lesion from a recent surgery that cannot be completely excised, including all old suture holes
• Two or more separate dura defects
• Major intraoperative complications that require resuscitation or deviation from the planned surgical procedure