Gelfoam powder

Gelfoam - may be constituted as pledgets, torpedoes, or slurry. Do not use Gelfoam powder... 

Gelfoam powder can be used for tumor preoperative embolization, in highly vascularized lesion. This material is used also for endovascular management of the epistaxis due to the fact that the embolic occlusion occurs at the capillary or precapillary level. The Gelfoam is mixed with contrast material and is injected under fluoroscopic monitoring with a 1-3 cc Luer-lock syringe held in horizontal position. 

Gelfoam Level of occlusion depends on size and preparation (torpedoes, pledgets, slurry, powder)... 

At MDACC, our best results for hepatic artery emboUzation with Ivalon or Gelfoam segments/ powder were observed in patients with metastatic neuroendocrine tumors to the liver (Carrasco et al. 1986). Of the 23 evaluable patients with carcinoid syndrome, 20 (87%) responded to embolization, with a median response duration of more than 11 months. The symptomatic responses correlated with a decrease in the extent of the hepatic metastases and a decrease in the urine 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid values to a mean of 41% of pretreatment levels. Of the 20 evaluable patients with symptoms from islet cell carcinoma metastatic to the Uver, 16 (80%) achieved objective tumor regression after embolization (Carrasco et al. 1986). Sequential and periodic embolization is required for effective palUation. As many as 21 embolizations have been administered to... 

Gelfoam , a gelatin foam available in sheet or powder form that can be formed into a variety of shapes by an interventionalist, is often used off-label to completely occlude specific vessels, although it is not indicated specifically for intravascular embolization (Patel et al., 2005). The foam can also be cut into fine segments and mixed with a diluted contrast agent to create a slurry that is injected into the target site, as shown in Figure 20.7. 

Absorbable particles consist mainly is Gelfoam (gelatine sponge) powder (40-60 pm) or particles (any size), the use of autologous clot or Avitene has also been described. The occlusion achieved with this material is not permanent and vascularization is reconstituted in 7 to 21 days after the procedure. The Gelfoam can be easily cut, and placed in contrast material to be injected through small lumen catheters. 

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