SURGICAL BLEEDING IN MICROGRAVITY

A surgical procedure performed during space flight would occur in a un ique microgravity environment. Several experiments performed during we ightlessness in parabolic flight were reviewed to ascertain the behavi or of surgical bleeding in microgravity. Simulations of bleeding using dyed fluid and citrated bovine blood, as well as actual arterial and venous bleeding in rabbits, were examined. The high surface tension pr operty of blood promotes the formation of large fluid domes, which hav e a tendency to adhere to the wound. The use of sponges and suction wi ll be adequate to prevent cabin atmosphere contamination with all blee ding, with the exception of temporary arterial droplet streams. The co ntrol of the bleeding with standard surgical techniques should not be difficult.