Tissue Adhesives for Battlefield Hemorrhage Control. Phase II.

A fibrin based hemostatic agent and wound dressing system specifically to be usable on the battlefield has been developed. The agent is a fibrin monomer based powder which is directly usable without any pre-mixing. In vivo tests indicate that 1 the new hemostatic agent controls bleeding significantly faster than the only commercially available fibrin-based hemostatic agent, Tisseel, Immuno AG, Austria when tested in a splenic injury model 2 the tissue response and wound healing obtained with the new material and Tisseel appear to be comparable 3 the new material shows promise in the control of arterial bleeding when used on the surface of a hydrophilic sponge and 4 the material yields a tissue tensile strength equivalent to surgical staples and with less localized inflammation at one week when it is used in an external, adhesive-backed wound dressing. Because of its ease of use and effectiveness, this material has the potential for wide applicability in the treatment of trauma in civilian settings as well as its military uses.