Inverted Placement of Endoscopic One-Way Endobronchial Valve Combined with Gelfoam in the Closure of Bronchopleural Fistula with Empyema in a Mechanically Ventilated Patient: A Case Report.

Bronchopleural fistula (BPF) with empyema caused by severe necrotizing pulmonary infection is a complicated clinical problem that is often associated with poor general condition so surgical interventions cannot be tolerated in most cases. Here, we present the successful management of multiple BPF with empyema in a mechanically ventilated patient with aspiration lung abscess. Occlusion utilizing Gelfoam followed by endobronchial valves (EBVs) implanted inverted via bronchoscope decreased the air leaking significantly and made intrapleural irrigation for empyema achievable and safe. This is the first report of a novel way of EBV placement and the combination use with other occlusive substances in BPF with empyema in a patient on mechanical ventilation. This method may be an option for refractory BPF cases with pleural infection.

Sponges with colloidal silver nanoparticles help restore bone lost in endo-periodontal injuries

Introduction: Endo-periodontal lesions can lead to the formation of severe intraosseous defects in the periodontium; which can lead to tooth loss. Objective: Demonstrate that surgical periodontal therapy with the help of gelatin sponges, with colloidal silver nanoparticles, restores bone tissue lost in endo-periodontal lesions. Case presentation: 55-year-old male patient without systemic alterations, diagnosed with grade 3 endo-periodontal lesion in patients with periodontitis. It was treated first with ducts and then with periodontal surgery combined with gelatin sponges, which contain colloidal silver nanoparticles, and were placed filling the 2-wall bone defect involving > 80 percent of the root length, with 24 months of radiographic and clinical follow-up. Conclusions: Based on the case report, surgical periodontal therapy and filling of bone defects with gelatin sponges, which contain colloidal silver nanoparticles, were sufficient to restore the lost bone at a 24-month follow-up. However, further studies are needed to assess the clinical benefit of this material for the treatment of intraosseous defects(AU)

Comparison of blood loss between tranexamic acid-soaked absorbable Gelfoam and topical retrograde injection via drainage catheter plus clamping in cervical laminoplasty surgery.

BACKGROUND: To compare the safety and efficacy of tranexamic acid (TXA)-soaked absorbable Gelfoam and the retrograde injection of TXA through a drain with drain-clamping in degenerative cervical laminoplasty patients. METHODS: Patients were assigned into either TXA retrograde injection (TXA-RI), TXA-soaked absorbable Gelfoam (TXA-Gel), or control groups. The demographics, operative measurements, volume and length of drainage, length of hospital stay, complete blood cell count, coagulopathy, postoperative complications, and blood transfusion were recorded. RESULTS: We enrolled 133 patients, with 44, 44, and 45 in the TXA-RI, TXA-Gel, and control groups, respectively. The baseline characteristics did not differ significantly among the three groups. The TXA-RI group exhibited a lower volume and length of postoperative drainage compared to the TXA-Gel and control groups (126.60 ± 31.27 vs. 156.60 ± 38.63 and 275.45 ± 75.27 mL; 49.45 ± 9.70 vs 58.70 ± 10.46 and 89.31 ± 8.50 hours, all P < 0.01). The TXA-RI group also had significantly shorter hospital stays compared to the control group (5.31 ± 1.18 vs 7.50 ± 1.25 days, P < 0.05) and higher hemoglobin and hematocrit levels (12.58 ± 1.67 vs 11.28 ± 1.76 g/dL; 36.62 ± 3.66% vs 33.82 ± 3.57%, both P < 0.05) at hospital discharge. In the TXA-RI and TXA-Gel groups, the D-dimmer (DD) and fibrinogen (FIB) were significantly lower than those in the control group after surgery (P < 0.05). None of the patients required blood transfusion. No complications, including thromboembolic events, were reported. CONCLUSION: Topical retrograde injection of TXA through a drain with drain-clamping at the conclusion of unilateral posterior cervical expansive open-door laminoplasty may effectively reduce postoperative blood loss and the length of hospital stays without increasing postoperative complications.

Diaphragmatic weakness after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization of the right inferior phrenic artery for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma: a comparison of outcomes after N-butyl cyanoacrylate versus gelatin sponge embolization.

BACKGROUND: The inferior phrenic artery (IPA) is the most common extrahepatic feeder for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) during transhepatic arterial chemoembolization (TACE). PURPOSE: To compare the incidence of diaphragmatic weakness in patients with HCC after TACE of the right IPA conducted using either N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) or gelatin sponge particles. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Medical records of 111 patients who underwent TACE of the right IPA using NBCA were retrospectively reviewed and compared with data from 135 patients with IPA embolization using gelatin sponge particles. RESULTS: The incidence of diaphragmatic weakness after the initial TACE procedure did not significantly differ between the groups (NBCA group 16.2%; gelatin sponge group 20.7%; P = 0.458). Five patients in the NBCA group and 11 in the gelatin sponge group showed spontaneous resolution of diaphragmatic weakness after a mean period of 3.5 months. Diaphragmatic weakness developed after the initial follow-up visit in 17 patients from the gelatin sponge group due to repeated TACE of the right IPA (mean 2.4 sessions; range 2-4 sessions), while it spontaneously developed without additional TACE procedures in one patient from the NBCA group. Permanent diaphragmatic weakness was less common in the NBCA than in the gelatin sponge group (12.6% and 25.2%, respectively; P = 0.017). The complete response rate did not significantly differ between the groups (NBCA group 16.2%; gelatin sponge group 25.9%; P = 0.065). CONCLUSION: Use of NBCA rather than gelatin sponge particles for TACE of the right IPA resulted in a lower incidence of permanent diaphragmatic weakness.

Efficacy and Safety of a Thrombin-Containing Collagen-Based Hemostatic Agent in Spinal Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVE: When common hemostatic methods, such as suturing, cautery, and compression, fail to arrest bleeding during surgery, various local hemostatic agents are used. We aimed to evaluate the hemostatic efficacy and safety of CollaStat (Dalim Tissen Co. Ltd., Seoul, Korea), a novel thrombin-containing, collagen-based topical haemostatic agent used in spinal surgery, by comparing it with Floseal (Baxter Healthcare, Deerfield, Illinois, USA). METHODS: We performed a randomized controlled trial in 78 patients who underwent spinal surgery. The participants were randomly assigned to either an intervention group (use of CollaStat) or a control group (use of Floseal). We compared successful haemostasis rate, time to hemostasis, length of hospital stay, amount of fluid drainage, and rate of adverse events between the 2 groups. RESULTS: The hemostasis success rate was 94.87% in the intervention group and 97.44% in the control group. The hemostatic efficacy and safety of CollaStat were found to be noninferior to those of Floseal since the higher limit (11.09%) of the confidence interval (CI) for the difference with Floseal was greater than the prespecified noninferiority margin of -13%. There were no statistically significant differences at the 5% level in hemostasis time, number of hemostatic agents used, hospitalization period, and amount of drainage between the 2 groups. Also, there was no incidence of medical device-related serious adverse events or adverse events in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The hemostatic efficacy and safety of CollaStat were found to be noninferior to those of Floseal. Therefore CollaStat can be safely and effectively used in spinal surgery.

Multicenter phase III trial of regenerative treatment for chronic tympanic membrane perforation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of regenerative treatment for tympanic membrane perforation (TMP) using gelatin sponge, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and fibrin glue. METHODS: This was a multicenter, non-randomized, single-arm study conducted at tertiary referral centers. Twenty patients with chronic TMP (age 23-78 years, 6 males, 14 females) were registered from three institutions. All treated patients were included in the safety analysis population. The edges of the TMP were disrupted mechanically by myringotomy and several pieces of gelatin sponge immersed in bFGF were placed and fixed with fibrin glue to cover the perforation. The TMP was examined 4 ± 1 weeks later. The protocol was repeated up to four times until closure was complete. The main outcome measures were closure or a decrease in size of the TMP, hearing improvement, and air-bone gap evaluated 16 weeks after the final regenerative procedure (FRP). Adverse events (AEs) were monitored throughout the study. RESULTS: Total closure of the TMP at 16 weeks was achieved in 15 out of 20 patients (75.0%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 50.9%-91.3%) and the mean decrease in size was 92.2% (95%CI: 82.9%-100.0%). The ratio of hearing improvement and the air-bone gap at 16 weeks after FRP were 100% (20/20; 95%CI: 83.2%-100%) and 5.3 ± 4.2 dB (p <0.0001), respectively. Thirteen out of 20 patients (65.0%) experienced at least one AE, but no serious AEs occurred. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the current regenerative treatment for TMP using gelatin sponge, bFGF, and fibrin glue is safe and effective.

Review of topical gelatin-based haemostatic agents; an insidious culprit of intraoperative anaphylaxis?

BACKGROUND: An under-recognized complication of gelatin-based haemostatic agents is their potential to cause anaphylactic reactions. This review aims to collate and analyse case in the literature of intraoperative anaphylaxis secondary to locally applied haemostatic agents. METHODS: An electronic search was performed on databases Medline, Embase, Pubmed and ProQuest. A total of 7671 articles were reviewed from title and abstract. After exclusion criteria and duplicates removed, 19 articles with 21 cases were included for analysis. Data extracted from each of the articles included patient demographics, haemostatic agent used, surgery type, known allergies and any objective evidence of hypersensitivity post anaphylactic episode, that is tryptase levels, IgE levels, skin prick testing. RESULTS: Fifty-seven percent of cases involved patients <18 years of age; 57% of cases involved spinal surgery; 100% of cases displayed objective evidence of hypersensitivity (tryptase levels, bovine or porcine IgE levels, or skin prick testing). Thirty-three percent of patients had exposure preoperatively to a known agent causing anaphylaxis or allergy which would preclude the use of a gelatin-based haemostat. These products included vaccines, spam meats, red meat, Jell-O and CollaPlug. Gelatin-based haemostat agents included Floseal, Gelfoam, Surgiflo, fibrin glue, Avitene, haemofibrine sponge, topical bovine thrombin and thrombin-soaked gelatin. CONCLUSION: Increased awareness of allergy to gelatin-based haemostats for surgical and anaesthetic is imperative, with 33% of cases having a known contraindication to gelatin-based haemostat. This review highlights important aspects in the pre-operative patient history and post-event patient investigation that could assist anaesthetists and surgeons in the prevention of future events.

Two Cases of Cerebral Infarcts Caused by Topical Hemostatic Agent Embolism.

ABSTRACT: Resorbable topical hemostatic agents are widely used in surgical procedures to control intraoperative bleeding. There have been multiple reports of complications from use of these agents, including pulmonary vasculature thromboembolism, cerebral venous sinus occlusion, and postoperative inflammatory mass lesions each containing the hemostatic agent. We report 2 cases of inadvertent intra-arterial embolization of hemostatic agent. Both cases followed elective surgical cervical spinal procedures, during which gelatin-based local hemostatic agents were used to control unanticipated bleeding. Postoperatively, both patients exhibited neurologic defects and were found to have infarcts of the brain. At autopsy, vertebrobasilar thromboemboli containing foreign material grossly and microscopically consistent with hemostatic matrix material were found in both cases. These are the first reports of hemostatic agent embolization resulting in cerebral infarcts and leading to death.

Gelfoam Migration: A Potential Cause of Recurrent Hydrocephalus.

BACKGROUND: Gelfoam is a simple and effective hemostatic agent that is used to seal brain corticotomies or skull burr holes. Owing to its low cost, it is one of the most widely used tools in neurosurgical daily practice. However, migration of Gelfoam fragments can cause occlusion of endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) or shunt, leading to hydrocephalus recurrence. CASE DESCRIPTION: Two cases of Gelfoam migration causing recurrent hydrocephalus are presented: a 12-year-old girl who underwent surgery for posterior fossa tumor removal and ETV for associated hydrocephalus, where a portion of Gelfoam (used to seal the burr hole) migrated up to close the ETV, and a preterm 8-month-old boy who was treated by neuroendoscopic brain lavage and afterward by ventriculoperitoneal shunt for posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus, where all the Gelfoam used to close the corticotomy migrated into the lateral ventricle, thus reopening the corticotomy and releasing small fragments that ultimately obstructed the shunt. A new endoscopic procedure was required in both patients (the second patient also required a shunt revision). CONCLUSIONS: Review of the pertinent literature discloses other complications of Gelfoam migration (e.g., mass effect, granulomatous reaction) as well as other causes of uncommon ETV/shunt obstruction. Nonetheless, Gelfoam will remain an indispensable tool for neurosurgeons. The present report emphasizes the importance of its correct use to avoid complications.

A Rare Case of Fatal Pulmonary Embolism in a Pediatric Spine Surgery.

BACKGROUND: An 11-year-old girl had undergone posterior spinal fusion surgery for scoliosis. The surgery was complicated by intraoperative bleeding, and hemostasis was achieved by topically applying gelatin sponges. CASE DESCRIPTION: She developed acute pulmonary embolism and cardiac arrest during the surgery, which was confirmed by transesophageal echocardiography. CONCLUSIONS: Autopsy shortly after revealed that her death was associated with unintended intravascular entry of gelatin sponge fragments, resulting in an embolic event and secondary cardiopulmonary collapse.

Uterine Artery Embolization with Gelfoam for Acquired Symptomatic Uterine Arteriovenous Shunting.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the technical and clinical success rates and safety of bilateral gelfoam uterine artery embolization (UAE) for symptomatic acquired uterine arteriovenous shunting due to prior obstetric or gynecologic event. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study of consecutive patients of reproductive age who presented with abnormal uterine bleeding after recent gynecologic procedures or obstetric events between January 2013 and February 2018. Bilateral UAE was performed in all patients using gelfoam slurry. Technical success was defined as angiographic resolution of arteriovenous shunting. Clinical success was defined as cessation of symptomatic bleeding, resolution on follow-up imaging, or minimal estimated blood loss (EBL) (<50 ml) on subsequent elective dilation and curettage (D&C) procedure. RESULTS: Eighteen patients (mean age, 32.8 ± 7.1 years) were included. Technical success and clinical success were experienced by 17/18 (94.4%) and 16/17 (94.1%) patients, respectively. Angiography demonstrated arteriovenous shunting in 18/18 (100%) patients, with early venous drainage. Seven of 18 (38.9%) patients underwent subsequent scheduled D&C due to remaining retained products of conception, with an EBL of 17.9 ± 15.6 ml. There was 1 minor complication of a self-limited vascular access groin hematoma (1/18, 5.6%) and 1 major complication (1/18, 5.6%) of a pulmonary embolism detected 3 days after UAE. The length of clinical follow-up was 19.3 ± 15.5 months, in which 41.2% (7/17) of the patients became pregnant. CONCLUSIONS: UAE with gelfoam alone for symptomatic uterine arteriovenous shunting is a feasible treatment option that has a high technical and clinical success rate with a low rate of complications.

Experience with Compressed Gelfoam Plugs in Children during Liver Biopsies and Other IR Procedures: A Retrospective Single-Center Case Series.

PURPOSE: To analyze the experience using compressed gelfoam plugs (CGPs) in children during liver biopsies and other interventional procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a single-center, retrospective, consecutive case series of 477 various pediatric interventional radiology procedures using CGPs (January 2012 to December 2016) performed on 397 children (209 males, 188 females; median age, 7 years [range, 9 days-17.8 years]; median weight, 18 kg [range, 2.7-141 kg]). Of 477 procedures, most (n = 371) were liver biopsies, 98 were biopsies of other organs, and 8 were non-biopsy procedures. Analysis focused on liver biopsies. RESULTS: Of liver biopsies, a median of 2 CGPs were used per procedure, and the mean drop in hemoglobin was -0.36 g/dl (-3.0% change). Thirty-seven mild, 8 moderate, 2 severe, and 1 life-threatening (an anaphylaxis to CGP) adverse events (AEs) occurred. Analysis of liver biopsies with AEs showed significant association between number of passes, cores, and focal-type lesions (unadjusted logistic regression: P = .007, P = .022, P = .028, respectively) and age, weight, and number of passes (adjusted multiple logistic regression: P = .006, P = .032, P = .046, respectively). Technical problems relating to CGP deployment were noted in 5 (1%), without any AEs. CONCLUSIONS: CGPs were used in a wide variety of procedures and organs in children. There was 1 life-threatening AE resulting from the rare risk of anaphylaxis caused by the gelfoam-containing plug. After liver biopsies, transfusion was required in 2/371 (0.5%) procedures, 1 related to pre-biopsy anemia (0.25%).

Endo-sponge Assisted Early Surgical Closure of Ileal Pouch-anal Anastomotic Leakage Preserves Long-term Function: A Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Endo-sponge [Braun Medical] assisted early surgical closure [ESC] is an effective treatment to control pelvic sepsis after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis [IPAA] leakage, and became standard treatment in our centre from 2010 onwards. The aim of this cohort study was to assess the long-term pouch function of ulcerative colitis [UC] patients treated with ESC or conventional management [CM] for anastomotic leakage after IPAA. METHODS: Consecutive patients who underwent an IPAA for UC between 2002 and 2017 were included. Patients treated with ESC [2010-2017] or CM [2002-2009] for anastomotic leakage were compared with control patients without anastomotic leakage of the corresponding time period. Main endpoints were long-term pouch function on a 3-point scale and pouch failure, as measured with the validated pouch dysfunction score questionnaire. RESULTS: Some 280 of 334 patients [84%] returned the pouch dysfunction questionnaire, of whom 18 were treated with ESC and 22 with CM for anastomotic leakage. Control cohorts included 133 [2010-2017] and 107 patients [2002-2009]. Between ESC-treated patients and control patients, pouch function [p = 0.647] and pouch failure rates [0/18 versus 5/133, p >0.99] were similar. CM resulted in worse pouch function [p = 0.016] and a higher pouch failure rate [5/22 versus 5/107, p = 0.013] compared with control patients. CONCLUSIONS: ESC, in contrast to CM, for IPAA leakage in UC patients is associated with preservation of pouch function and preclusion of pouch failure, probably due to early and effective treatment of pelvic sepsis.

Single-Center Retrospective Study of Preoperative Prostatic Artery Embolization with the Use of Gelatin Sponge: Initial Experience and Influence for Blood Loss in Prostate Surgery.

PURPOSE: To investigate the safety and effectiveness of preoperative prostatic artery embolization (PAE) in relation to decrease in hemoglobin level, requirement for blood transfusion, length of hospitalization, and procedure-related complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten consecutive patients who underwent surgery after preoperative PAE were identified from May 2017 to October 2018 (embolization group: holmium-laser enucleation of the prostate [HoLEP] in 6 patients and robotic simple prostatectomy in 4 patients, mean age 72.9 ± 8.7 years, mean prostatic volume 106.5 ± 22.0 mL). For comparison, consecutive patients with a large prostatic volume (≥70 mL) who underwent surgery without preoperative PAE during the same period were enrolled (nonembolization group: HoLEP in 9 patients and robotic simple prostatectomy in 1 patients, mean age 71.2 ± 5.7 years, mean prostatic volume 87.8 ± 26.7 mL). RESULTS: PAE was technically successful in 90% of patients (9/10). The median interval between PAE and surgery was 2 days. The mean hemoglobin reduction was lower (1.40 ± 0.92 g/dL vs 3.07 ± 1.50 g/dL; P = .008) and the median length of hospitalization was shorter (8.5 days vs 11 days; P = .039) in the embolization group than the nonembolization group. The operating time (mean for HoLEP 146 ± 38 min vs 179 ± 59 min [P = .248], mean for robotic simple prostatectomy 223 ± 32 min vs 354 min) and number of blood transfusion (1 patient vs 2 patients; P = .392) were not significantly different between the 2 groups. None of the patients developed any complications except bleeding requiring transfusion. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative PAE is safe and may reduce blood loss during prostate surgery.

Hemostatic Thrombin-Gelatin Matrix-Related Intracranial Cyst Formation.

BACKGROUND: Local hemostatic agents have been used in the neurosurgical field for many years; it is safe and efficient with no fatal complication reported in the literature. We routinely used a gelatin-thrombin hemostatic agent (FloSeal Hemostatic Matrix) for hemostasis in minimally invasive endoscopic-assisted surgery for more than 500 patients with intracerebral hemorrhage. However, 2 cases with sterile cyst formation were encountered. CASE DESCRIPTION: We reported 2 cases with sterile cyst formation after the use of a gelatin-thrombin hemostatic agent. Both of them had intracerebral hemorrhage. One received endoscopic hematoma evacuation, and the other had traditional craniotomy. They all received drainage of the cyst due to progressive enlargement and the mass effect they exert. CONCLUSIONS: These sterile cysts were very close to the ventricle wall on images. We hypothesized that cyst wall may be formed not only by hemostatic agent-related fibrosis and inflammation according to the previous literature review but also by the presence of the check valve mechanism between the cyst and the ventricle, which caused further dilation of the cyst.

Bronchial Artery Embolization for Hemoptysis in Primary Lung Cancer: A Retrospective Review of 84 Patients.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of bronchial artery embolization (BAE) in patients with primary lung cancer-related hemoptysis and to identify factors associated with hemoptysis-free survival. METHODS: Data from 84 patients with primary lung cancer (non-small cell [n = 74] and small cell [n = 10]) who underwent BAE from 1997 to 2018 for the management of hemoptysis were retrospectively reviewed. Of these, 53 patients had stage IV lung cancer. The hemoptysis volume prior to initial BAE was trivial (blood-tinged sputum) in 21 patients, moderate (< 300 mL per 24 hours) in 34 patients, and massive (> 300 mL per 24 hours) in 29 patients. RESULTS: Technical success, defined as the ability to selectively embolize the abnormal vessel, was achieved in 83 patients (98.8%), and clinical success was achieved in 69 (82.1%) patients. Polyvinyl alcohol particles were used to embolize in 51 patients, gelfoam in 15 patients, and gelfoam plus microcoils in 17 patients. Hemoptysis recurred in 20 patients (23.8%) during follow-up. The median hemoptysis-free survival and overall survival periods were both 61 days. In the clinical-success and clinical-failure groups, the median overall survival period was 99 and 9 days, respectively (P < .001). In multivariable analysis, massive hemoptysis (P = .012) and cavitary lung mass (P = .019) were predictive factors for shortened hemoptysis-free survival. CONCLUSIONS: BAE is a safe and effective approach to control hemoptysis, although the prognosis in primary lung cancer patients presenting with hemoptysis is generally poor. Massive hemoptysis and cavitary lung mass are significant predictors of shortened hemoptysis-free survival.

The Relationship Between Gelatin Sponge Preparation Methods and the Incidence of Intrauterine Synechia Following Uterine Artery Embolization for Postpartum Hemorrhage.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the relationship between gelatin sponge preparation methods and the incidence of intrauterine synechia following uterine artery embolization (UAE) for postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a retrospective monocentric study, we used data from 20 consecutive UAE procedures (19 patients) for PPH, performed in 2007-2016, in which gelatin sponge had been used. The gelatin sponge was processed either into a slurry by pumping it back and forth about 10 times through two syringes connected to a three-way stopcock or into pledgets using a scalpel and small scissors to obtain pieces approximately 2 × 2 × 2 mm in size. Patient information was obtained from medical records, and the data were compared between patients treated with the slurry (n = 7) or pledgets (n = 13) forms. Due to the lack of follow-up data and hysterectomy after UAE, the sample size was 6 and 12 because 1 patient with 2 procedures was excluded. RESULTS: The rate of intrauterine synechia was significantly higher in the slurry group (5/6, 83.3%) than that in the pledgets group (0/12, 0%; P < 0.001). In contrast, there were no significant differences in population characteristics, such as the incidence of placenta accreta, non-placental diseases, and severity of shock (DIC score, shock index, or blood loss) between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although non-randomization and small sample size were the two main limitations, our observations suggest that UAE using gelatin sponge slurry may be associated with a high incidence of intrauterine synechia compared to UAE using pledgets.

Comparison the efficacy of hemorrhage control of Surgiflo Haemostatic Matrix and absorbable gelatin sponge in posterior lumbar surgery: A randomized controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the hemostatic effect of hematostatic agent Surgiflo and absorbable gelatin sponge (AGS) in posterior lumbar surgery. METHODS: A total of 60 cases were recruited during August 2016 and June 2017 according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Patients were randomly allocated to the Surgiflo Haemostatic Matrix (SHM) group or the AGS group (AGS) by computer-generated randomization codes. The success rates of hemostasis for 3 minutes and 5 minutes, the time of operation, the amount of intraoperative bleeding, the volume of autogenously blood transfusion, the amount of blood during hemostasis, the amount of blood transfusion, and BP, RBC, HCT, HB of preoperative, 2 to 3 days, and 5 to 7 days following operation were recorded to compare. Daily drainage and all adverse events after operation were also compared. RESULTS: All the patients were followed up for at least 1 month. The RBC and HCT of the AGS group before operation were lower than those in the control group (P = .039, P = .029), but there was no difference after operation (P >.05). In the control group, 19 cases were successfully hemostatic in 3 minutes, 4 cases were successful in 5 minutes, and 7 cases were combined with hemostasis. In the SHM group, it was 22, 3, and 5 cases respectively. There was significant difference in blood loss during hemostatic process between the 2 groups (P <.001). There was no difference in the amount of blood loss and autologous blood transfusion between the 2 groups, and there was no difference in the operation time between the 2 groups. In the AGS group, allogeneic blood was infused in 1 case during operation, and no allogeneic blood was infused in the other patients. The drainage volume on the 1st day and the 2nd to 4th day after operation in the AGS group was less than that in the control group (P = .015, P = .010). CONCLUSION: Compared with AGS, SHM could decrease the blood loss during hemostatic process and the postoperative drainage volume in posterior operation of lumbar degenerative disease. SHM is a safe and effective hemostatic agent in lumbar posterior surgery.

Intracranial foreign material granulomas after cranial surgery.

BACKGROUND: Various synthetic materials are used in neurosurgery and left in place intentionally during surgery for several purposes such as hemostasis, dural closure, or cranioplasty. Although leaving such substances in surgical sites is considered safe, in general, foreign body granuloma may occur months or years after intracranial surgery. Thus, far relatively little is known about treatment and outcome of such lesions. METHODS: A systematic review of 3466 histopathological examinations after cranial surgeries achieved over a 13-year period was performed. After excluding patients with Teflon granulomas or infection, a total of 12 patients with foreign body granulomas induced by synthetic material used in a prior surgery were identified. Patient records, imaging studies, and histopathological data were analyzed. Furthermore, postoperative outcome was assessed. RESULTS: Mean age at the second surgery was 51 years (range, 11-68 years). The median time between the primary and the secondary surgery was 13 months (range, 1-545 months). Eight patients (75%) presented with signs and symptoms related to the foreign body granulomas. Total resection of the foreign body granulomas was performed in all patients. The granulomas were induced by oxidized cellulose polymer (n = 6), suture material (n = 3), Gelfoam (n = 1), methylmethacrylate (n = 1), and bone wax (n = 1). The mean postoperative follow-up time was 54 months (range 1-137 months). There was symptomatic improvement in all instances. Imaging studies did not demonstrate any recurrence. CONCLUSION: Despite its rarity, foreign body granuloma should be taken into consideration in the differential diagnosis of intracranial mass lesions especially in cases of suspected tumor recurrence after prior surgery. The pathogenesis of foreign body granuloma still needs further clarification. Our study demonstrates that they have good prognosis after surgical removal.