Many of us will do anything or use any product available to stop oozing from suture needle holes. After all, waiting for bleeding to stop is usually not something most vascular surgeons enjoy. Most hemostatic agents are quite expensive and some don’t work very well at all.
Courtesy of Dr. Russell Samson
Fig. 1: Ultrasonic Doppler gel in a sterile packet.
Our group has found a cheap alternative that is freely available in every OR and, although not perfect, works well enough in most cases – the standard ultrasonic transmission Doppler gel that you use to listen to arteries in the operative field. We usually have these available in sterile packets (Fig. 1). We cut off one end and squeeze the contents as a large glob onto the patch or anastomosis (Fig. 2). Presumably the weight of the material is enough to stop the needle-hole bleeds.
Active bleeding will usually only occur between stitches and is evidence that another stitch would be prudent. Since the gel is clear, any bleeding is easily seen. We routinely also use protamine reversal for our carotid artery endarterectomies and bypasses and so we leave the jelly on until all the protamine has been given. By that time, the bleeding has almost always stopped.
Co urtesy of Dr. Russell Samson
Courtesy of Dr. Russell SamsonFig. 2: Anastomosis shown covered with the gel.
The jelly can be sucked away (it makes a great sounding noise in the suction!) or just diluted out with saline. I do note on the package insert that Doppler gel is not for internal use, and it is not FDA approved for this indication, but I believe we all use it anyway?
Dr. Samson is a clinical associate professor of surgery (vascular), Florida State University Medical School and a member of Sarasota Vascular Specialists, Sarasota, Fl., and the Medical Editor of Vascular Specialist.
[Editor’s Note: Please submit your own helpful tips and tricks for inclusion in this column to [email protected].]
