Clinical Use and Hemostatic Application of Gelatin

Because of the potentially devastating consequences, adequate hemostasis is of paramount importance in all surgical procedures: generalized ooze hemorrhage from the surgical wall cavities, arising from the surface of different organs as liver, kidney, or nervous tissue, can result in considerable blood loss, prolonging surgical times, and with major risk for infection and mortality. Furthermore, hemorrhage may limit visualization in a confined operative field of view, as during endoscopic approaches. Blood-sparing procedures are required for blood loss control to arrest bleeding-related issues and the need for blood transfusions. Classical blood-sparing techniques, such as electrocauterization of the vessels and suturing, are in some cases ineffective. Matrix hemostatic agents are a mixture of a gelatin matrix (bovine or porcine) and a thrombin component mixed together at the time of use. Both components interact synergistically to raise hemostasis and make possible the development of the clot at the bleeding area. In this study, we compare the different hemostatic techniques using the gelatin hemostatic matrix sealant, investigating and reviewing its efficacy and safety in all surgical subspecialties.