Hemostatic matrix sealant in neurosurgery: a clinical and imaging study

The aim of this study was to investigate prospectively the efficacy and safety of Floseal hemostatic matrix.

A total of 214 patients (87 males, 127 females; mean age 56.2 years) undergoing cranial (71.4%), craniospinal (0.9%), and spinal (27.5%) procedures with the use of gelatin thrombin hemostatic matrix (Floseal) were included in this prospective study. The indications for its use, surgical techniques, time to bleeding control, and associated complications were recorded.

Effective hemostasis, defined as cessation of bleeding, was achieved no later than 3 min after topical agent application in all patients except in 11 cases, in which the hemostatic application was repeated. Rebleeding was disclosed in four patients 1 day after initial surgery. In one case, an intracerebral abscess developed after a malignant glioma removal. No other patient developed allergic reactions or local or systemic complications associated with the hemostatic sealant.

In this study, matrix hemostatic sealant helped to control operative bleeding in cranial and spinal surgery, reducing damage to the surrounding healthy nervous tissue while shortening surgical timing. Other than safe, the immediate hemostatic effect is an advantage in the settings of refractory bleeding.