Surgicel®: its fate following implantation

Abstract

Surgicel, a local hemostatic gauze, is claimed to consist of oxidized regenerated cellulose. It is a polyanion, the functional unit of which is termed polyanhydroglucuronic acid. The ability of tissues to absorb Surgicel and its inherent hemostatic properties were extensively investigated. The time required for absorption of Surgicel from implantation sites in the chest wall muscles of rats was determined, and mechanisms for its removal were established. Data derived from sequential uronic acid assays, histochemistry using the stain alcian blue, and transmission electron microscopy of implanted Surgicel were interpreted to reveal that Surgicel consists of at least 2 active components. These are a soluble uronic acid component which is lost after 6 h, and a fibrous component which persists. The latter material resembles Surgicel in the EM and is still evident at the implantation site at 48 h post-implantation. Moreover, Surgicel can be characterized in vitro into at least 2 components according to its solubility under dissociative salt conditions (4 M guanidinium chloride). A residual fibrous material could then be hydrolyzed with 0.3N sodium hydroxide. The absorption of the former salt soluble uronate in vivo is by early degradation and/or systemic clearance, while removal of the fibrous material requires phagocytosis.