Haemostats, absorbable

Small-volume oily injections 7 Absorbable haemostats... 

The reduction of blood loss during or after surgical procedures where suturing or hgature is either impractical or impossible can often be accomphshed by the use of sterile, absorbable haemostats. These consist of a soft pad of sohd material packed around and over the wound which can be left in situ, being absorbed by body tissues over a period of time, usually up to 6 weeks. The principal mechanism of action of these is the ability to encourage platelet fiacture because of their fibrous or rough surfaces, and to act as a... 

This is composed of the sodium and ealeium salts of alginic add formed into a powder or fibrous material and sterilized by autoelaving. It aids clotting by forming a sodium-caldum alginate complex in contact with tissue fluids, acting principally as a mechanical haemostat. It is relatively slowly absorbed and some residues may occasionally remain in the tissues. 

Oxidized cellulose is very similar to normal cotton but with a defined texture and an acid taste. The material tends to disintegrate on handling. Under the microscope, the fibers are very similar to those of normal absorbent cotton. Oxidized cellulose is used as an absorbable haemostatic in many types of surgery. It is incompatible with penicilline and can not be heat-sterilized. 

When a water-insoluble calcium alginate fibre is in contact with wound exudates, the calcium ions exchange with sodium ions in the body fluid and calcium ions release. Calcium ions can act as a haemostatic agent. When in contact with the wound, calcium alginate fibre slowly turns into a sodium alginate fibre it absorbs a large quantity of exudates and turns itself into a gel, which helps keep a moist interface on the wound surface. 

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