Efficacy of TachoSil(® )patches in controlling Dacron suture-hole bleeding after abdominal aortic aneurysm open repair

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is evaluate the efficacy of TachoSil(® )patches in controlling suture-hole bleeding after elective infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) replacement with Dacron graft. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients undergoing elective replacement of infrarenal AAA with Dacron grafts were prospectively randomized to TachoSil(® )patches (Group I) or standard compression with surgical swabs (Group II). We evaluated time to haemostasis, blood loss during the operation, blood loss after cross-clamp removal, duration of operation, drain volume, requirement for blood transfusion and surgeons rating of efficacy. RESULTS: Twenty patients were randomized (10 patients in each treatment Group). The mean time to haemostasis was 264 ± 127.1 s (range: 180-600 s) in Group I and 408 ± 159.5 s (range: 120-720 s) in Group II (p = 0.026); mean blood loss during the operation was 503.5 ± 20.7 cc (range: 474-545 cc) in Group I and 615.7 ± 60.3 cc (range: 530-720 cc) in Group II (p < 0.001); mean blood loss after cross-clamp removal was 26.5 ± 4 g (range: 22-34 g) in Group I and 45.4 ± 4.6 (range: 38-52 g) in Group II (p < 0.001) and mean drain volume was 116.7 ± 41.4 cc (range: 79-230 cc) in Group I and 134.5 ± 42.8 cc (range: 101-250 cc) in Group II (p = 0.034). There were no serious adverse events associated with use of TachoSil(® )patches. CONCLUSION: For patients undergoing aortic reconstruction with Dacron grafts, TachoSil(® )patches were found to be safe and effective for the control of suture-hole bleeding.