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Published on: October 26, 2016
Microporous Polysaccharide Hemospheres do not enhance abdominal infection in a rat model compared with gelatin matrix
Mark H Ereth1, Yue Dong, Lisa M Schrader
1Transfusion, Coagulation and Cardiopulmonary Bypass Research Group, Department of Anesthesiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA. ereth.mark@mayo.edu
Background:
Residual topical hemostatic material can serve as a nidus for infection or enhance infection in an already contaminated wound. A newly approved agent, Microporous Polysaccharide Hemospheres (MPH) (Arista AH), has rapid degradation properties, which may reduce the chance of surgical site infection.
Materials And Methods:
With institutional approval, 170 Wister rats underwent standardized anesthesia and abdominal surgery. An Echerichia coli inoculum was added to the incision, and MPH, gelatin matrix, or no agent (control) was placed in the site. After 72 h, the animals were sacrificed, and colony-forming units (cfu)/g were counted in the harvested tissue.
Results:
Application of gelatin matrix resulted in more cfu/g of tissue and an 87% infection rate, with fewer cfu/g of tissue and a 14% and 24% infection rate in the control and MPH groups, respectively.
Conclusion:
The use of MPH in this rat abdominal infection model did not enhance infection. Gelatin matrix was associated with a greater infection rate than MPH. The rapid degradation of MPH may account for these results, making it a good hemostat in the presence of infective sources.
Insights
Microporous Polysaccharide Hemospheres (MPH) did not increase infection risk in a rat model. Unlike gelatin matrix, MPH showed a lower infection rate, suggesting its rapid degradation is beneficial in contaminated wounds.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Surgical Innovation
- Infectious Disease Research
Background:
- Residual hemostatic materials can increase surgical site infection (SSI) risk.
- Microporous Polysaccharide Hemospheres (MPH) are a novel agent with rapid degradation properties.
- MPH may mitigate SSIs in contaminated surgical sites.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the infectious potential of MPH compared to gelatin matrix and a control in a contaminated wound model.
- To assess the impact of hemostatic agents on bacterial load and infection rates.
Main Methods:
- 170 Wister rats underwent abdominal surgery with standardized anesthesia.
- Incisions were contaminated with Escherichia coli.
- MPH, gelatin matrix, or no agent was applied to the surgical site.
- Bacterial colony-forming units (cfu)/g were quantified after 72 hours.
Main Results:
- Gelatin matrix application led to significantly higher cfu/g and an 87% infection rate.
- The control group showed a 14% infection rate.
- The MPH group exhibited a 24% infection rate, with lower cfu/g compared to gelatin matrix.
Conclusions:
- MPH did not enhance infection in this rat abdominal model.
- Gelatin matrix was associated with a higher infection rate than MPH.
- MPH's rapid degradation may reduce SSI risk in contaminated environments, positioning it as a favorable hemostat.

