Pigskin made commercially available as porcine-derived dermal
collagen (PDC) contains a macrofibrillar
collagen surface that initiates platelet aggregation and the intrinsic pathway clotting mechanism. Sterile-irradiated PDC, nonirradiated PDC, and lyophilized PDC were tested for
hemostatic effectiveness and cost for hemostasis against each other and
Avitene powder,
Avitene web,
Collastat,
Gelfoam,
Superstat, and
Thrombostat. Canine arterial, liver, and splenic
bleeding models were used. In arterial
wounds PDC was more effective than
Avitene powder,
Avitene web, and
Gelfoam (p less than 0.05) and also
Superstat and
Thrombostat (p less than 0.01). First application success rates revealed that PDC agents were more successful overall (85%) than the next three most successful agents:
Avitene powder,
Avitene web, and
Collastat (56%) (p less than 0.01). Differences in success rates of hepatic and splenic
wounds were less marked but still significant. Cost of hemostasis was relatively low for PDC agents in comparison to the other agents. PDC is an effective topical
hemostatic agent in experimental canine arterial, liver, and splenic
wounds when compared with several currently used agents and can also result in cost savings.