SURGICEL compared with simple gauze packing in grade IV liver injury: an experimental study

A number of hemostatic agents such as porcine collagen, topical thrombin, and SURGICEL (oxidized cellulose) can be used to achieve homeostasis in liver laceration. This study aims to compare stereological findings in using SURGICEL vs. gauze packing in grade 4 liver lacerations in Wistar rats. In this experimental study, 20 male Wistar-albino rats weighing 250–300 g were purchased from Shiraz University of Medical Sciences animal laboratory. At the beginning of the study, a 1-cm length and 0.5-cm depth linear laceration was made on the large lobe of the liver in all rats through laparotomy. At least one or more liver tissue samples were obtained from live rats to compare the efficacy of SURGICEL vs. gauze packing. According to our stereological results, normal liver tissue in the SURGICEL group (0.882 ± 0.146) was significantly lower than the controls (0.994 ± 0.007) (p value < .016). Liver fibrosis in the SURGICEL group (0.043 ± 0.025) was significantly more than the control group (0.005 ± 0.007) (p value < .016). As known, by increase in the fibrosis tissue, the chance of recurrent bleeding decreases; analysis of the results showed that we had more fibrosis tissue after treatment of liver laceration by SURGICEL instead of gauze and it is a new hope in liver laceration treatment methods.