Collagen Fibers as a Fleece Hemostatic Agent

Abstract

The hemostatic efficacy of collagen fibers as a fleece hemostatic agent (CFH) is compared with the efficacy of 3 commercially available agents: collagen powder (Avitene), absorbable gelatin sponge and oxidized cellulose. Identical quantities of the 4 materials were applied to identical multiple spleen incisions in 5 dogs; CFH and collagen powder proved 3 times as effective as the other 2 materials. CFH and collagen powder were then compared with regard to hemostatic efficacy, handling characteristics and tissue reaction. Different weights of the materials were applied to multiple spleen lacerations in 12 dogs and spleen avulsions in 12 dogs. The hemostatic efficacy of the materials was similar but CFH was superior with regard to handling characteristics and tissue reaction. Another experiment with 6 pigs showed that CFH can be successfully sutured as a patch to profusely bleeding lacerations of the spleen, liver and kidney.