Application and assessment of microfibrillar collagen hemostat in heel spur surgery: a preliminary study

Microfibrillar collagen is described. The method of application and use on the exposed surface of cancellous bone encountered in heel spur surgery, herein defined as a resection of the inferior calcaneal exostosis with plantar fasciotomy, is discussed. Microfibrillar collagen's chief effect on cancellous bone is rapid, dramatic cessation of bone bleeding. It was assessed in terms of its effect on postoperative pain, quantitative subcutaneous hematoma formation, and edema. Although patients initially experienced increased discomfort during the first 24 hr. postoperatively, their edema, subcutaneous hematoma formation, and, more dramatically, need for narcotic analgesics was significantly reduced in the microfibrillar patient group when compared to patients having the same surgical procedures without the microfibrillar collagen intraoperatively. There were no postoperative complications encountered after the use of microfibrillar collagen in any of the 23 cases.