Endoscopic Powder for Haemostasis: A Breakthrough in Minimally Invasive Surgery
Securing haemostasis effectively is essential for positive surgical outcomes. It not only limits blood loss during surgery but also lowers risks of transfusion and complications after the procedure. Yet, minimally invasive surgeries—like laparoscopic and endoscopic interventions—make bleeding control more complex because of restricted maneuverability and visibility.
With the rise of less invasive surgery, adaptable and efficient haemostatic agents are more vital than ever, especially where standard techniques fail.
The Haemostatic Challenge in MIS
Minimally invasive surgery provides advantages including faster healing and minimal scarring, but also presents new obstacles for bleeding control. But the same factors that make MIS appealing also make bleeding control more difficult. Limited maneuverability, constrained visualization, and the absence of tactile feedback make it harder to manage diffuse or irregular bleeding.
Conventional techniques like suturing, tying off vessels, or cauterization can be difficult to use during MIS. Here, topical haemostats such as endoscopic powders become essential, helping to control bleeding and improve surgical efficiency.
Understanding Surgi-ORC® Endoscopic Powder
One of the most promising powdered forms—a plant-based, absorbable haemostat with a proven safety and efficacy profile. Introduced decades ago as a sheet, oxidized regenerated cellulose (ORC) is now available in powder form for today’s MIS challenges.
Why Surgi-ORC®-Based Endoscopic Powder Stands Out
• Accelerated Clotting: ORC’s mechanism enhances platelet activity and clot formation
• Adaptable Coverage: Powdered ORC easily conforms to irregular or deep wound areas
• Plant-Based Safety: Free from animal or human components, it reduces risks of immune reactions and disease transmission
• Antibacterial Environment: The oxidation process lowers pH, creating an acidic microenvironment that offers bactericidal benefits
• Biodegradable and Safe: Powder is absorbed with no toxicity, even near sensitive structures
With these properties, Surgi-ORC® endoscopic powder is perfect for mild-to-moderate bleeding, particularly from capillaries, veins, or small arteries in hard-to-reach areas.
Precision Application: Endoscopic Powder Delivery Devices
The choice of delivery device plays a major role in the powder’s performance during MIS. In MIS, bellows pump-based applicators are widely used to deliver endoscopic powder with accuracy and control.
Operation of Endoscopic Powder Applicators
Bellows applicators, which look like syringes, have various tip lengths for applying powder via laparoscopic ports. Compressing the bellows dispenses a controlled amount of powder right onto the bleed, maintaining clear visibility.
Maximizing Effectiveness: Usage Tips
• Device Orientation: The angle of application (vertical/horizontal) affects how the powder spreads—often more than compression speed
• Powder Characteristics: Particle size, flow, and how the powder handles moisture will affect performance
• Surgeon Technique: Output depends on the speed and force used when compressing the bellows
Clinical Uses of Endoscopic Powder
In surgical settings where access is limited or structures are delicate, endoscopic powder proves invaluable. Its adaptability allows direct application to large, raw surfaces or narrow anatomical crevices.
Common Uses Include:
• Minimally invasive liver surgeries
• Cardiothoracic MIS cases
• Gynaecologic laparoscopic procedures
• Submucosal dissection cases
• Minimally invasive urology surgeries
Using endoscopic powder helps surgeons see better, stop bleeding quicker, and complete operations faster—often with less need for transfusions and better patient outcomes.
Clinical Evidence: Proven Performance of ORC Powder
A postmarket clinical study evaluating SURGICEL® Powder (ORC-based haemostatic agent) in 103 patients undergoing various surgical procedures reported:
• Hemostasis was achieved in 87.4% of cases at 5 minutes, and 92.2% at 10 minutes
• Strong performance in open and minimally invasive settings
• No complications linked to the product: no rebleeding, clots, or negative reactions
• Surgeons noted its ease of use, accuracy, and minimal need for extra measures
Overall, the data shows SURGICEL® Powder as a safe, effective, and adaptable haemostatic agent—especially when Endoscopic Powder conventional tools aren’t enough.
Summary
As MIS continues to evolve, so does the demand for advanced haemostatic tools. Endoscopic powder, particularly ORC-based formulations, stands out as a reliable, fast-acting, and surgeon-friendly solution for bleeding control.
No matter the complexity—be it confined spaces, delicate organs, or irregular wounds—ORC endoscopic powder ensures safe, effective bleeding control for today’s surgical demands.
References
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