The size of gelatin sponge particles: differences with preparation method

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Surgical Technology

Background:

• Gelatin sponges are widely used hemostatic agents in surgery.
• Controlling the particle size distribution of gelatin sponges is crucial for their effective application.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the size distribution of gelatin sponge particles produced by cutting versus pumping methods.
• To evaluate if the type of gelatin sponge sheet (Spongel vs. Gelfoam) influences particle size distribution.

Main Methods:

• Gelatin sponge particles were prepared from Spongel and Gelfoam sheets using two distinct methods: mechanical cutting (scalpel and scissors) and mechanical pumping (syringes and stopcock).
• The size distribution of the resulting particles suspended in saline was analyzed and compared between the different preparation groups.

Main Results:

• Cutting gelatin sponge particles resulted in significantly lower rates of both very small (< or = 500 microm) and very large (> 2000 microm) particles compared to the pumping method, for both Spongel and Gelfoam.
• Specifically, for Spongel, cutting produced 1.1% small particles versus 37.6% for pumping (p < 0.0001). For Gelfoam, cutting produced 0% large particles versus 48.1% for pumping (p < 0.0001).
• No significant difference in particle size distribution was observed between Spongel and Gelfoam when the cutting method was employed (p = 0.2002).

Conclusions:

• The method of preparation significantly impacts the size distribution of gelatin sponge particles.
• Mechanical cutting is a more effective method for achieving uniform particle sizes compared to mechanical pumping.