Collagen patch coated with fibrin glue components - Treatment of suture hole bleedings in vascular reconstruction

Background. Bleeding from suture holes during vascular reconstruction, part icularly when polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) prostheses are used, is still a problem which can lead to intraoperative delay and increased blood loss. The aim of this prospective, randomised, open, controlled multicentre study was to evaluate whether the use of a new local haemostyptic would reduce i ntraoperative blood loss and the time to haemostasis. Methods. Thirty patients received a new haemostyptic (TachoComb H, Nycomed Pharma AG), whereas another 30 patients were treated with compresses. The v ascular reconstructions were either anastomoses or patch angioplasties and were performed using PTFE vascular prostheses. Results. The mean time to haemostasis of suture hole bleeding in the haemos typtic group (326.0 sec) was significantly shorter compared to the control group (514.3 sec) (p=0.006), The median intraoperative blood loss was 24.5 g in the treatment group and 57.3 g in the control group (p=0.045). Conclusions. It was shown that collagen patches coated with components of f ibrin glue significantly reduce the time to haemostasis as well as blood lo ss at the operation site in patients undergoing vascular reconstruction wit h PTFE grafts.