Pigskin as a topical hemostat in arterial, liver, and splenic injuries

Pigskin made commercially available as porcine-derived dermal collagen (PDC) contains a macrofibrillar collagen surface that initiates platelet aggregation and the intrinsic pathway clotting mechanism. Sterile-irradiated PDC, nonirradiated PDC, and lyophilized PDC were tested for hemostatic effectiveness and cost for hemostasis against each other and Avitene powder, Avitene web, Collastat, Gelfoam, Superstat, and Thrombostat. Canine arterial, liver, and splenic bleeding models were used. In arterial wounds PDC was more effective than Avitene powder, Avitene web, and Gelfoam (p less than 0.05) and also Superstat and Thrombostat (p less than 0.01). First application success rates revealed that PDC agents were more successful overall (85%) than the next three most successful agents: Avitene powder, Avitene web, and Collastat (56%) (p less than 0.01). Differences in success rates of hepatic and splenic wounds were less marked but still significant. Cost of hemostasis was relatively low for PDC agents in comparison to the other agents. PDC is an effective topical hemostatic agent in experimental canine arterial, liver, and splenic wounds when compared with several currently used agents and can also result in cost savings.