Gelatin matrix treatment of complex renal injuries in a porcine model

Purpose: We developed a complex porcine renal laceration model at our laboratory to test the efficacy of an abbreviated, sutureless treatment regimen using FloSeal gelatin matrix hemostatic sealant (Baxter Healthcare Corp., Fremont, California). We evaluated the influence of preliminary renal arterial occlusion on hemostatic efficacy and assessed the risk of delayed hematoma or urinoma formation after treatment. Materials and Methods: A total of 21 commercial swine underwent celiotomy with creation of a complex upper pole renal injury using a 4 X 4 cm cruciate press instrument. The injury was uniformly produced at the caudal extent of the upper third portion of the left kidney. Subjects were prospectively randomized into 3 treatment groups. Experimental animals were treated with the application of gelatin matrix with (7 in group 1) or without (7 in group 2) preliminary renal arterial occlusion. Control subjects (7 in group 3) were treated with conventional horizontal mattress sutured gelatin sponge bolsters over the capsular injury. Operative blood loss, time to hemostasis and volume of gelatin matrix required for hemostasis were compared among the groups. Abdominal computerized tomography with intravenous contrast medium was performed in each animal 7 days postoperatively. Results: Gelatin matrix use resulted in significantly less mean blood loss (80.7 and 99.0 ml in groups I and 2, respectively) vs conventional suture treatment (191.8 ml in group 3, p = 0.036). Time to hemostasis was similarly decreased (1.1, 2 to 2.5 and 5.8 minutes in groups 1 to 3, respectively, p = 0.009). Followup abdominal computerized tomography with contrast medium revealed no clinically significant perinephric fluid collections (greater than 2 cm). Conclusions: FloSeal gelatin matrix hemostatic sealant provided effective hemostasis after complex renal injury with and without preliminary vascular control. No delayed bleeding or clinically significant urinoma formation was noted. These findings suggest a possible increased role for FloSeal gelatin matrix in renal salvage surgery.