Comparative tissue reactivity to topical hemostatic agents in the periureteral area

Application of the topical hemostatic agents microfibrillar collagen hemostat (Avitene), oxidized cellulose (Surgicel), and absorbable gelatin sponge (Gelfoam) to the periureteral regions in dogs did not incite an adverse inflammatory or fibrotic reaction when used in standard, recommended fashion. No instances of ureteral obstruction resulted from such application. The addition of a small amount of sterile urine in the same area with the topical agent did not influence the degree of reaction. We concluded that these useful hemostatic agents, when used properly, are absorbed with only slight or no residual tissue reaction. The adverse tissue reaction occasionally reported probably can be ascribed to either improper use of the hemostatic agent, other concomitant noxious influences such as infection, or admixture with abnormal collections of body fluids.