Reduction of hemorrhage after knee arthroplasty using cryo-based fibrin sealant

The spray application of cryo-based fibrin sealant was evaluated for reduci ng hemorrhage in a complex, anticoagulated canine model of knee joint arthr oplasty. Nine heparinized dogs underwent bilateral knee arthroplasty under tourniquet control with each animal having 3 mt of fibrin sealant sprayed o nto one joint and the other joint serving as control. The fibrin sealant si gnificantly reduced total and incremental bleeding as compared to the contr ol side (P < .05). In addition, the hemostatic effectiveness of the fibrin sealant increased as bleeding propensity increased (P < .05). This study su ggests that fibrin sealant may reduce bleeding from orthopedic joint replac ement in human patients undergoing routine operations as well as those rece iving forms of anticoagulation to reduce the incidence of deep venous throm bosis and pulmonary embolus.