Improved hemostasis during laparoscopic partial nephrectomy using gelatin matrix thrombin sealant

To evaluate whether using a biologic hemostatic sealant facilitates hemostasis during laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. Secure and durable parenchymal hemostasis is a critical requirement during laparoscopic partial nephrectomy.

Since September 1999, laparoscopic partial nephrectomy has been performed in more than 300 patients by a single surgeon, duplicating open surgical principles. Recently, from patient 225 onward, we modified our technique by incorporating topical application of a gelatin matrix thrombin sealant (FloSeal) to cover the partial nephrectomy bed before sutured renorrhaphy over a Surgicel bolster. The impact of FloSeal on reducing hemorrhagic complications was evaluated by comparing two sequential groups of patients: group 1 consisted of 68 patients in whom FloSeal was not used (patients 156 to 224) and group 2 consisted of 63 patients in whom it was used (patients 225 to 288).

Groups 1 (no FloSeal) and 2 (FloSeal) were comparable in tumor size, number of central tumors, and performance of pelvicaliceal suture repair (84% versus 92%; P = 0.16). Intraoperative variables were also comparable in terms of mean warm ischemia time (36.1 versus 37.2 minutes; P = 0.55), blood loss (150 versus 106 mL; P = 0.36), operative time, and hospital stay. However, the FloSeal group had significantly fewer overall complications (37% versus 16%; P = 0.008) and tended toward a lower rate of hemorrhagic complications (12% versus 3%), although this did not achieve statistical significance (P = 0.08).

The results of this study have shown that adjunctive use of gelatin matrix thrombin sealant substantially enhances parenchymal hemostasis and has decreased our procedural and hemorrhagic complications to levels comparable with contemporary open partial nephrectomy series. This gelatin matrix-thrombin tissue sealant is now a routine part of laparoscopic partial nephrectomy at our institution.