Biocompatibility and bioabsorption of microfibrillar collagen hemostat in experimental animals

The effects of Microfibrillar Collagen Hemostat (MCH) and Gelfoam® after surgical implantation into incision sites of the liver, kidney, and brain were studied in beagle dogs, rabbitsm, and beagle dogs, respectively. The results of these experimental animal studies suggest that MCH is comparable to Gelfoam® with respect to biocompatability, rate of bioassimilation, and a lack for adverse systematic effects. The brain, liver, and kidney tissues responed comparably to MCH and Gelfoam® with a mild to moderate infiltration of macrophages and mononuclear cells. Most of the hemostatic compound had dissappeared from the incision sites by Day 28 and completely disappeared by Day 84. The tissue degree response was interpreted as a factor in the process of bioassmilation of the two hemostatic materials. Both hemostatic compounds contributed to adhesion formation in the experimental models. The incidence of adhesions was somewhat lower for MCH than for Gelfoam®, but both produced more adhesions than were found at the control sites. The adhesions were only to the adjacent structures and always localized to the surgical site. When MCH or Gelfoam® is used under conditions similar to those in the present experimental study, were tissue approximation is impaired, and where growth of granulation tissue is stimulated by the physical presence of the hemostatic compound, there is the possibility for increased incidence of adhesion formation. However, when an intraperitoneal absorbable hemostatic compound is desired, the present studies in experimental animals suggest that MCH will safe by exhibiting minimal tissue reaction.