Hemostaticos Topicos
Hemostaticos Topicos
Hemostaticos Topicos
https://doi.org/10.1093/bjs/znad361
Cutting Edge Review
Introduction with a sponge. This group of agents are bio-dissolvable and may
cause surgical drain fluid to appear discoloured (for example,
Intraoperative haemostasis is generally achieved by
brown) and congealed, and thus has the potential to create
electrosurgical coagulation, suture ligation or suture repair of
diagnostic confusion and raise concern for gastrointestinal
blood vessels. Use of topical haemostatic agents may assist
perforation or deep surgical site infection. The appearance of
haemostasis in certain circumstances. This includes situations
matrix agents on postoperative cross-sectional imaging varies
where suturing or electrocautery are likely to be ineffective
depending on the agent, time from surgery and co-existing
(such as raw surface bleeding from the cut edge of bone, solid
pathology, but may resemble a fluid collection with or without
organs or other soft tissue structures) or potentially hazardous
gas and can be mistaken for a haematoma or abscess. Their use,
(where the bleeding is from or near structures at risk of
therefore, should always be documented in operative reports7.
inadvertent damage from sutures or thermal spread). This
article provides an overview of the types and mechanisms of
action of available topical haemostatic agents, and describes
Oxidized regenerated cellulose
their potential applications in the pelvis as illustrative examples. Oxidized regenerated cellulose (ORC) provides a scaffold around
which a clot can form and is produced by regenerating the
cellulose of decomposed plants as continuous fibres. Examples
Bone wax and putty of commercially available ORC-based products are Surgicel
These natural or synthetic agents can be applied to the transected Nu-Knit® (a fabric-like mesh) and Surgicel Fibrillar® (which
surfaces of bone in order to directly tamponade bleeding from the resembles cotton wool). These agents can be trimmed or
medulla of the bone, and are commonly used in neurosurgical, moulded to various shapes and sizes to match the contours of
orthopaedic or cardiac procedures (after sternotomy). Bone wax the bleeding surface and to fit through ports during minimally
is a sterile mix of natural beeswax, paraffin and isopropyl invasive surgery. Rather than being moistened, ORC-based
palmitate (softener) and is moulded into the cut edge of bone in products are applied dry and manually compressed with a digit
order to directly occlude medullary vessels (Fig. 1). It is relatively or surgical pack to achieve haemostasis. ORC agents are useful
cheap and readily available and, because it is soft and to address bleeding from dissected retroperitoneal or pelvic
malleable, can be used for irregular bone defects. However, it surfaces, the parenchyma of partially resected or lacerated solid
has been associated with granuloma formation and surgical site organs, or suture holes of vascular anastomoses or repairs.
infection because it is non-absorbable and elicits a foreign body ORC causes a reduction in pH in the surrounding milieu, which
reaction1,2. Ostene (Baxter International, Inc., Deerfield, Illinois, leads to lysis of erythrocytes (explaining the brown discolouration
USA) is a synthetic putty that can be used as an alternative to that results from contact with blood) and may have an
wax for bone surface bleeding. It is resorbed within 24–48 h of antimicrobial effect8,9. Absorption takes between 2 and 6
application3,4 and animal studies suggest it has less effect on weeks10,11. Disadvantages of ORC are the inhibition of some
bone healing compared to bone wax5,6. biological agents (such as thrombin) due to the acidic environment
created and therefore combination use with other agents is
limited. The lower pH may also elicit a local inflammatory
Absorbable matrix agents response and delay tissue healing, and form a nidus for infection9.
These agents are biologically inactive and provide a scaffold
around which a thrombus can form from platelets and Gelatin matrix
components of the endogenous coagulation pathways. They are Gelatin is a hydrocolloid made from porcine collagen that
generally available in simple packaging and do not require any provides a moist scaffold that absorbs blood, concentrates
special storage or preparation. They are applied directly to the endogenous coagulation factors and facilitates platelet
area requiring haemostasis, which is then gently compressed aggregation. In commercially available agents the gelatin is
whipped and baked to make a sponge or powder11. Gelatin powder Microporous polysaccharide spheres
is commonly mixed with normal saline or topical thrombin (which Microporous polysaccharide spheres (MPS) are derived from plant
is possible due to its neutral pH) to form a foamy paste solution starch and manufactured in powder form, which, on application,
that can be applied to bleeding surfaces or delivered through a absorbs water from surrounding tissues and forms an adhesive
syringe, and can be used as an alternative to bone wax for gel. The starch provides a scaffold for fibrin formation and the
control of bleeding from transected bone12. Gelatin sponges are absorption of water concentrates platelets and endogenous
applied to the bleeding surface with direct pressure for several coagulation factors11. A sucker and sponge is first used to dry
minutes and are available in various sizes and shapes, including the bleeding surface as much as possible before generous
a hollow cylinder designed for use in the anal canal (Spongostan application of the powder to the surface using a manual bellows
Anal) (Fig. 2). They can absorb approximately 40 times their applicator. The area is then packed for direct pressure
weight and substantially increase their volume, causing local tamponade. Arista™ AH and PerClot are examples of MPS-based
tissue compression which contributes to haemostasis by products and long tip applicators are available for use in
tamponade. This does, however, also have the potential to cause minimally invasive surgery (Table 1). The advantages of MPS
complications related to compression of adjacent structures,
Microfibrillar collagen
Similar to other matrix agents, bovine collagen (derived from
bovine dermis) provides a scaffold for thrombus formation.
When platelets come into contact with collagen fibrils (of which
there is a large surface area) they are activated and
subsequently aggregate and degranulate. Powder and sponge
forms of microfibrillar collagen are available, which are applied
directly to the bleeding surface and are absorbed in
approximately 8 weeks11,14. They are typically most useful for
bleeding over large surface areas, such as dissected
retroperitoneal or pelvic surfaces. These agents tend to stick to
wet surfaces including surgical gloves and instruments, and
therefore can be difficult to handle. Additionally, they cannot be
used with blood salvage systems because the fibres may pass
through the system filters and cause embolism9. Because the
mechanism of action is platelet activation/aggregation,
microfibrillar collagen agents are less effective in patients with
thrombocytopaenia, but still effective in heparinized patients15.
a b
Fig. 2 a Use of gelatin sponges (Spongostan Anal) to pack the lateral pelvis to address diffuse bleeding following lateral pelvic exenteration. b Sponges
can be tied together with Surgicel NuKnit to form large packs to fill large cavities
Brown and Solomon | 3
Category Agent Trade Names Mechanism of action and Uses Potential adverse effects
Wax and Bone wax Bone Wax (Ethicon) • Direct occlusion of blood vessels • Infection
putty within medullary bone • Allergic reaction
• Haemostasis at cut edge of bone • Local tissue reaction
• Non resorbable • Impaired osteogenesis
Synthetic putty Ostene • Similar to bone wax, but is • Infection (lower than bone
HEMASORBPLUS resorbable and does not impair wax)
osteogenesis • Allergic reaction
• Local tissue reaction
Microfibrillar collagen Avitene (Bard) • Large surface area of collagen fibrils • Contraindicated with
Helistat, helitene causes platelet activation/ blood salvage systems due
(Integra) aggregation to risk of embolism
INSTAT MCH • Typically useful for large surface • Allergic reaction
(Ethicon) area bleeding • Infection
• Sticks to surgical gloves and wet • Foreign body reaction
instruments
• Less effective in thrombocytopaenic
patients
• Reabsorption time ∼8 weeks
Biological Topical thrombin (bovine, THROMBIN-JMI (Pfizer) • Converts fibrinogen to fibrin, • Immune-mediated
agents human or EVITHROM (Ethicon) activates clotting factors and coagulopathy
recombinant) GELFOAM PLUS promotes platelet aggregation • Viral or prion disease
(Baxter) • Applied in liquid form by syringe or transmission
RECOTHROM aerosolized applicator • Allergic reaction
(Mallinckrodt • Stored as freeze-dried powder which
Pharmaceuticals) is reconstituted by mixing with
normal saline, or as a frozen
solution
(continued)
4 | BJS, 2024, Vol. 111, No. 1
Table 1 (continued)
Category Agent Trade Names Mechanism of action and Uses Potential adverse effects
Thrombin and gelatin FLOSEAL (Baxter) • Combines haemostatic actions of • As for topical thrombin
matrix SURGIFLO (Ethicon) thrombin with tamponade effect and gelatin matrix agents
from swelling of the gelatin
• Thrombin concentrate is
reconstituted before it is mixed with
the gelatin matrix, takes several
minutes
• Mixing produces foam-like agent
that expands when applied to the
bleeding surface
• Reabsorption time 6–8 weeks
Autologous fibrinogen, Vitagel (Stryker) • Action of thrombin forms fibrin clot • Calculus formation if used
platelets, bovine around collagen matrix from within renal collecting
thrombin and collagen autologous fibrinogen, stabilized by system
(platelet sealants) platelets
• Requires centrifugation of patient
blood at time of surgery
Synthetic Polyethylene glycol (PEG) Coseal (Baxter) • PEG polymer-based sealants • Compression of adjacent
and other DuraSeal (Integra) • Coseal used for suture hole bleeding structures
sealants Progel (Bard) after vascular anastomosis • Allergic reaction
• DuraSeal and Profel indicated for • Cerebrospinal fluid leak
dural repair during neurosurgery • Infection
and sealing lung parenchyma and • Delayed wound healing
pleura, skin wound/graft
approximation
is an enzyme that is activated by the intrinsic and extrinsic powder form and then reconstituted by mixing it with normal
pathways of the coagulation cascade and converts fibrinogen to saline before application, or as a frozen solution which requires
fibrin. Concentrated thrombin augments clot formation by at least 10 min to thaw at 37°C16. Bovine thrombin-based
converting fibrinogen to fibrin, activating clotting factors (V, VIII, products can elicit a profound immune response and have been
XI) and by facilitating platelet aggregation11. Commercially associated with the development of antibodies toward thrombin
available agents are applied as a liquid, via a sprayer for and other clotting factors17 as well as severe coagulopathy18,
application to a broad area, or syringe for application to a with randomized data demonstrating that recombinant human
specific area. They may also be used to coat a surgical pack or thrombin is comparatively less immunogenic and therefore
gelatin sponge. The thrombin can be stored in a freeze-dried favoured19. Human thrombin, which is derived from pooled
Brown and Solomon | 5
human plasma, carries the potential (albeit rare) risk of viral or These products can be stored at room temperature and do not
prion disease transmission20. require mixing prior to application (Table 1).
a b
The choice of topical haemostatic agent and how it is used when suturing and electrocautery are ineffective or potentially
depends on the location and nature of bleeding. Generally, hazardous. Choice of agent and how it is used (including in
inactive matrix agents are most useful for diffuse, minor venous combination with another agent or technique) depends on the
oozing, whereas biologically active agents may be more useful for nature and location of the bleeding, with consideration given to
brisk bleeding or in coagulopathic patients. For generalized minor patient or disease factors that may preclude use of a particular
oozing from raw surfaces in the pelvis, using high-powered agent (for example, due to a history of hypersensitivity reactions).
electrocautery (80 Watts) by ‘arcing’ the tip of the diathermy can
be effective. If the use of electrocautery is not safe due to the
proximity of neurovascular structures (for example, in a Author contributions
dissected pelvic sidewall after lateral lymph node dissection), Kilian Brown (Conceptualization, Writing—original draft) and
gently packing the area with gelatin sponges is useful (Fig. 2). Michael Solomon (Conceptualization, Supervision, Writing—
When major bleeding is encountered in the pelvis, it is most review & editing).
commonly from the presacral venous plexus, or from branches
and tributaries of the internal iliac axis in the pelvic sidewall.
Temporary control by direct compression using digital pressure, a Funding
small sponge on a long forceps, or by traditional packing is the The authors have no funding to declare.
first course of action. Communication with the nursing and
anaesthetic team about anticipated blood loss is critical.
Dissection around the point of bleeding is helpful to optimize Disclosure
exposure where possible and direct suture ligation of vessels is The authors declare no conflict of interest.
always preferred, but may not be feasible for presacral bleeding.
Use of thumbtacks to control presacral bleeding is commonly
described but not always successful, especially for bleeding from References
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