Br. Davidson et al., Experimental study of a novel fibrin sealant for achieving haemostasis following partial hepatectomy, BR J SURG, 87(6), 2000, pp. 790-795
Background: Ensuring adequate haemostasis is a major difficulty in the fiel
d of liver surgery. This study aimed to evaluate a novel fibrin sealant (Vi
vostat), designed for autologous preparation, in a porcine model of partial
hepatectomy.
Methods: Thirty-six Large White Landrace pigs underwent partial left hepate
ctomy by finger fracture under portal vascular inflow occlusion. Animals we
re randomized to treatment of the resected surface with either fibrin seala
nt (Vivostat, n = 12) or regenerated oxidized cellulose gauze (Surgicel, n
= 12), or were left untreated (controls, n = 12). Blood loss from the resec
tion margin was measured at 2-min intervals for 10 min, and the time to hae
mostasis was recorded. Following complete haemostasis the animals recovered
for 7 days.
Results: Median (range) blood loss in the control group was 94.3 (17.3-467.
0) g, and was significantly reduced with Vivostat (13.8 (5.5-150.9) g) and
Surgicel (22.8 (5.8-67.3) g). Median (range) time to haemostasis in control
s (31 (12-52) min) was also significantly reduced by Vivostat (8 (0-32) min
) and Surgicel (10 (0-19) min) (both P < 0.001 versus controls, Kruskal-Wal
lis test).
Conclusion: The novel fibrin sealant, Vivostat, is as effective as Surgicel
cellulose gauze in achieving haemostasis after porcine partial hepatic lob
ectomy.