CHEMICAL, CLINICAL, AND IMMUNOLOGICAL STUDIES ON THE PRODUCTS OF HUMAN PLASMA FRACTIONATION. XX. THE DEVELOPMENT OF FIBRIN FOAM AS A HEMOSTATIC AGENT AND FOR USE IN CONJUNCTION WITH HUMAN THROMBIN 123

Abstract

Fibrin foam, an absorbable tampon, for use with thrombin to obtain hemostasis where usual methods are ineffective, has been made from human blood proteins (fibrinogen and thrombin) obtained from the fractionation of plasma. The foam when dry is a white, dull, porous, slightly brittle mass, which when wet becomes soft and pliable. Its sponge-like structure imparts absorbent quality to the foam. Variations in prep. allow considerable variation in the foam from a light fluffy material to an extremely dense product. Also by suitable treatment, the resistance to the action of proteolytic enzymes both bacterial and in tissue exudate, may be varied. By in vitro clotting tests with thrombin solns. of varying strength, fibrin foam seems to be a more effective matrix than soluble cellulose. Two general types of foam have been made; one, known as Fibrin Foam, is for use with separately packaged thrombin solns.; and the other is made with thrombin intrinsically combined in it and needs no extra thrombin for hemostatic use. A foam of the first type, i.e., for use with separately packaged thrombin solns., which is best adapted to meet the problems of neurosurgery, has been selected as the primary standard for clinical use.