Microporous polysaccharide hemospheres do not inhibit bone healing compared to bone wax or microfibrillar collagen

Topical hemostats may reduce bone bleeding but the presence of residual matter may inhibit bone growth. We compared a recently approved hemostat, microporous polysaccharide hemospheres (Arista AH, Medafor Inc, Minneapolis, Minnesota), with conventional hemostatic agents in a rabbit calvarial model. Standard defects were created and microfibrillar collagen (Avitene; C.R. Bard Inc, Murray Hill, New Jersey), bonewax, or microporous polysaccharide hemospheres was applied. Bone growth was evaluated after fluorescent labeling the mineralization front. At 7 weeks bonewax and microfibrillar collagen had reduced bone growth compared to control or microporous polysaccharide hemospheres. Microporous polysaccharide hemospheres and control animals also had reduced rabbit calvarial defects compared to bonewax or microfibrillar collagen.