Fibrillary structure is key for hemostasis: a similar effect of collagen fleece and oxidized cellulose on experimental hemorrhagic brain injury

• Published in: Journal of neurological surgery. Part A, Central European neurosurgery Vol. 73; no. 2; p. 89
• Main Authors: Tessitore, E, Schatlo, B, Schaller, C, Schonauer, C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany 01-03-2012
• Subjects: Animals; Bleeding Time; Brain Hemorrhage, Traumatic - drug therapy; Brain Hemorrhage, Traumatic - pathology; Brain Hemorrhage, Traumatic - physiopathology; Brain Injuries - complications; Brain Injuries - physiopathology; Cellulose, Oxidized - chemistry; Cellulose, Oxidized - pharmacology; Coagulants - chemistry; Coagulants - pharmacology; Collagen - chemistry; Collagen - pharmacology; Disease Models, Animal; Hemostatic Techniques - trends; Male; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 2193-6323
• DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1309064

The choice of the ideal hemostatic agent for intraoperative cerebral bleeding is under continuous debate. Our aim was to assess the influence of such materials on bleeding time in hemorrhagic cerebral contusions. We compared oxidized regenerated cellulose in fibrillar form (ORC) to microfibrillar collagen fleece (CF) in an experimental study.
N=50 Sprague Dawley rats underwent a bilateral craniectomy. 3 separate standardized superficial cortical impacts were inflicted using a high-speed drill. Immediately after lesion placement, each of the 3 lesions was covered with (a) nothing (control), (b) ORC, or (c) CF. We observed the 3 lesions with a surgical microscope. The bleeding times were recorded for each cerebral lesion and compared using ANOVA test.
All traumatic lesions produced significant bleeding. The statistical analysis showed a clear reduction in bleeding time for groups treated with either ORC or CF compared to the control group. Lesions covered with ORC and CF showed no significant difference with regard to bleeding time.
ORC and CF significantly reduce blood loss from hemorrhagic contusions. Our data suggest that they effectively reduce bleeding time. We advocate the use of hemostatic material for limiting bleeding from superficial cortical lesions.