Key-words:
Bespoke - gelfoam - hemostasis - oxidized cellulose
Introduction
Achieving satisfactory hemostasis is a mandatory goal of every neurosurgical operation.
Normally, hemostasis is a natural process resulting from vasoconstriction, platelet
aggregation, and utilization of coagulation factors finally producing a coagulum.
In addition, methods such as oxycel and gelfoam application are used to hasten hemostasis.
We describe a simple method of fashioning thin wafers from gelfoam to substitute expensive
oxycel sheets. This has been used in over 8000 cases in the last 25 years with excellent
results in a randomized trial.
Materials and Methods
Regular gelatin sponge (Gelfoam/Abgel/Spongostan) is universally available in India
as a slab of the following dimensions: 80 mm × 50 mm × 10 mm. This material is too
thick to use for lining the cavity as it is known to absorb about 35 times its weight
in blood and can swell up to several times its size, which may then itself cause compressive
mass effect on the surrounding brain. Hence, surgicel is the preferred agent for lining
cavities at most neurosurgical centers, as it does not swell and acts, in addition
to providing a mechanical trellis (though inferior to gelfoam) by producing acid hematin
due to its acidic pH, which topically coagulates the bleeders.
The authors have been using very thin wafers of gelfoam fashioned on the operation
theater sterile trolley using an autoclaved skin grafting blade, a surgical No 23
or No 15 blade (if very thin slice required), or even an autoclaved knife with serrated
cutting edge. These are used to slice through this 10-mm thick slab to create thin
pellicles of gelfoam using a sawing motion [[Figure 1]]. This thin slice can then be shaped to the desired size as required with a scissors
[[Figure 2]] and then applied to line the cavity [[Figure 3]] and [[Figure 4]] or raw brain surface [[Figure 5]] without soaking in saline. We have used this in over 8000 surgeries both, cranial
and spinal, over the last 25 years, with excellent results [[Table 1]].
Figure 1: Wafer fashioning with No 23 surgical blade
Figure 2: Wafer cut to the desired size
Figure 3: Wafer being applied to surgical cavity
Figure 4: Wafer-lined surgical cavity
Figure 5: Wafers lining the brain surface after lobectomy
Table 1: Breakup of cases in which gelfoam wafers used
The thickness of the waters can be varied by the creator, to make them very thin for
use in the brain stem or intramedullary lesions in the spinal cord and thicker, for
use in oozing cavities. Thus, the thickness of these pellicles can be customized to
suit the area where it is being used and also depending on the oozing that is occurring
or is anticipated [[Figure 6]]. For example, after excising an arteriovenous malformations with a large nidus,
a thicker slice is used to prevent breakthrough bleeding. The slice thickness can
be thus tailored during surgery to suit the exact anatomical location where it is
to be applied and the situation at hand demanding hemostasis. These wafers are also
very easy to handle during surgery, unlike surgicel which has a tendency to form a
roll, thereby making its application difficult. If the situation demands, these wafers
can be soaked in thrombin and applied to further augment its hemostatic action.
Figure 6: Wafer ready for application
Very thin wafers can also be applied to protect anastomosis and vascular repair suture
lines, for covering dura after suturing it, to retain bone dust in place while replacing
bone flaps and also to cover implants in cranial and spinal surgeries [[Table 2]].
Table 2: Indications for using gelfoam wafers
Results
We used simple randomization to allocate cases to surgicel group versus gelfoam wafer
group [[Table 1]].
We compared our data of patients in whom surgicel was used for hemostasis with the
ones in which these customized wafers were used. There was identical hemostatic ability
when compared on the rebleed rates on routine postoperative scans done on the 1st
postoperative day at our center. Furthermore, there was no difference in the reexploration
rates for rebleeding and overall clinical out comes and infection rates in both the
groups.
Discussion
In the event of hemorrhage, hemostasis is naturally carried out by vasal contraction,
platelet aggregation, and consumption of coagulation factors which end up as a clot
formation. Usually, during an operation, it is not possible to wait for the natural
hemostatic process to occur, and therefore, additive methods to obtain a stable coagulum
have to be used.[[1]],[[2]] In fact, for the last 6 decades, the commonly used materials have not changed much.
Continuous evolution of new materials in chemical hemostasis may cause confusion among
surgeons.
The outcome of a delicately done neurosurgical operation can be ruined by a devastating
postoperative hemorrhage in the operated area. Hence, hemostasis achievement is an
important end point after excising any pathology in the brain. The surgeon has thermal,
mechanical, and biochemical methods in his armamentarium to achieve satisfactory hemostasis.
Since ancient Egyptian times, thermal methods have been used. Galen used it as the
principle technique till Pare' reintroduced mechanical method of ligaturing of vessels
in 16th century. In 1920s, Bovie and Cushing introduced electrocoagulation bringing
thermal methodology again to prominence where it has remained even today. Victor Horsley
introduced Bone wax for bone bleeding. Unfortunately, these methods have huge disadvantages
in sensitive areas, particularly in arresting parenchymal ooze. Biochemical hemostasis
started by Hippocrates, consisted of using caustic agents such as copper sulfate;
these however caused uncontrolled destruction of all protein elements, besides the
hemostasis was also poor and unreliable, hence they never succeeded in neurosurgery.[[3]]
Thus, the surgeon has to rely on meticulous surgical technique by maintaining the
correct plane of cleavage between the tumor and surrounding normal brain and coagulating
and cutting the supplying arteries and draining veins, as important surgical steps,
toward achieving this goal. Once the pathology is excised, capillary bleeders in the
tumor bed are carefully coagulated using bipolar cautery. After this, a hydrogen peroxide
application is often done to further reinforce this hemostasis and then ultimately,
the cavity is typically lined with oxidized cellulose (OC) (Surgicel) cut to desired
size. Several biosurgical agents are used to achieve this goal.[[4]]
OC was introduced in 1942, whereas oxidized regenerated cellulose was developed in
1960 and is manufactured from wood pulp, which contains about 50% cellulose by mass.
To prepare purified cellulose, it is decomposed and then recomposed into regenerated
cellulose.[[5]],[[6]],[[7]]
Gelatin foam (GF) was introduced as a hemostatic agent in 1945 and has been marketed
by several sellers since 1952.[[8]]
AbGel (Absorbable Gelatin) Sponge USP is nontoxic, nonallergenic, nonimmunogenic,
and nonpyrogenic. It is manufactured from highly purified neutral GF of uniform fine
porosity which guarantees a good hemostasis. The mechanism of action of surface-mediated
hemostatic devices is supportive and mechanical.[[6]] Surface-acting devices, when applied directly to bleeding surfaces, arrest bleeding
by the formation of an artificial clot and by producing a mechanical matrix that facilitates
clotting.[[9]]
Jenkins et al.[[10]] have theorized that the clotting effect of gelfoam may be due to the release of
thromboplastin from platelets, occurring when platelets entering the sponge become
damaged by contact with the walls of its myriad interstices. Thromboplastin interacts
with prothrombin and calcium to produce thrombin, and this sequence of events initiates
the clotting reaction. It is suggested that the physiologic formation of thrombin
in the sponge is sufficient to produce formation of a clot by its action on the fibrinogen
in blood.[[11]] The spongy physical properties of the gelatin sponge hasten clot formation and
provide structural support for the forming clot.[[9]],[[11]] The uniform porosity of gelfoam guarantees a favorable hemostasis. It has been
found to get completely absorbed in vivo, within 3–5 weeks.[[12]]
Following are the characteristics of gelfoam:
-
Hemostasis in 2–4 min
-
Absorbs 35 times its own weight in blood and fluids
-
Completely absorbed within 4 weeks
-
pH-neutral100% biodegradable
-
Can be used dry or impregnated.
There are several biosurgical agents used by neurosurgeons as per their preferences
and individual experiences, to achieve satisfactory hemostasis after excising brain
lesions.
Oxycel is the commonly used agent; however, it is expensive and sometimes difficult
to procure in smaller centers located in the peripheral areas. Gelfoam, on the other
hand, is universally available and substantially cheaper.
Our bespoke gelfoam wafers can be fashioned easily during surgery and can be customized
as per the needs of that particular surgery. The remaining gelfoam can then be used
to cover the dura and for epidural hemostasis also. No difference in postoperative
bleeding rates, infections, or any other complications has been noted in this large
series.
Conclusion
To the best of our knowledge, such bespoke wafers have never been used before in neurosurgery
and are safe, efficacious, and cost-effective means to achieve excellent hemostasis
postoperatively in a variety of neurosurgical operations with no complications.
