Use of FloSeal hemostatic sealant in transsphenoidal pituitary surgery: technical note.
OBJECTIVE
Bleeding during transsphenoidal pituitary surgery can lead to a variety of operative difficulties. When the endonasal transsphenoidal approach is used, even mild intraoperative hemorrhage can lessen visibility in the confined operative field of view. This technical note describes the use of a hemostatic agent we have found of benefit in obtaining prompt hemostasis during this operation.


METHODS
Operative records were reviewed for an 18-month period for all patients who underwent transsphenoidal surgery since we began using FloSeal hemostatic sealant in January 2000.


RESULTS
During the study period, 293 transsphenoidal operations were performed for pituitary lesions. Of these, 20 procedures involved vigorous or persistent bleeding. When the standard techniques for hemostasis failed or were inadequate, FloSeal, a sterile mixture of a gelatin matrix and thrombin component mixed at the time of use, was applied to the site of hemorrhage by use of a 14-gauge angiocatheter to reach the sella. We observed complete hemostasis immediately on application of FloSeal in all cases except one, which required a second application. Hemostasis was obtained immediately after the second application. No operations were aborted during this period as a consequence of undue bleeding.


CONCLUSIONS
We detail the method in which we use FloSeal in transsphenoidal surgery and report our impression of its effectiveness. FloSeal has been demonstrated to be safe and biocompatible as compared with hemostatic agents currently in use.
Department of Neurosurgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville 22908, USA.
Dilantha B
DB
Ellegala
Nicholas F
NF
Maartens
Edward R
ER
Laws
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005781:Gelatin Sponge, Absorbable / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006488:Hemostasis, Surgical; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D010900:Pituitary Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000601:surgery*; D019233:Retreatment; D013100:Sphenoid Bone
C411004:FloSeal Matrix