Effect of dry fibrin sealant dressings versus gauze packing on blood loss in grade V liver injuries in resuscitated swine

Background: We conducted this study to determine whether the dry fibrin sealant dressing (DFSD) would stop bleeding from a grade V liver injury and to evaluate the effects of leaving the absorbable DFSD in survival animals. Methods: Twenty-four swine (40 +/- 3.0 kg) received a uniform grade V liver injury and were randomized to one of four 1-hour treatment groups: (1) gauze packing, (2) DFSD, (3) immunoglobulin G placebo dressing, and (4) no treatment. All animals were resuscitated with lactated Ringer's solution. Total blood loss (TBL), mean arterial pressure, resuscitation volume, and laboratory data were monitored for I hour after injury. Four swine were treated with the DFSD after grade V injury and allowed to survive for 7 or 14 days. Results: The TBL was 1,104 +/- 264 mL (mean +/- SEM), 544 +/- 104 mL, 4,223 +/- 1,555 mL, and 6,026 +/- 1,020 mL for groups 1,2, 3, and 4 respectively. TBL in DFSD animals was less than that in animals treated with gauze packing (p = 0.06). Grade V injuries were uniform among the I-hour groups, and no evidence of intrahepatic abscess, unusual adhesions, or hepatic vein, vena caval, or pulmonary thromboses were noted in the long-term survival animals. Conclusion: In this model of grade V liver injury, blood loss with the DFSD was 51% of that observed with standard gauze packing (not statistically different). Initial survival data revealed no complications attributable to the fibrin dressing. DFSD may provide simple, rapid, and definitive hemorrhage control in life-threatening liver injuries without the need for reoperation.