Endoscopic Powder: A Game-Changer in Haemostasis for Minimally Invasive Surgery
Securing haemostasis effectively is essential for positive surgical outcomes. Beyond minimizing intraoperative blood loss, it significantly reduces the risks associated with transfusions and postoperative complications. 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.
Why Bleeding Control in MIS is Difficult
While MIS offers benefits such as shorter recovery and less scarring compared to open surgery, it brings new challenges. These positive factors, however, increase the complexity of haemostasis. 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. That’s where topical haemostatic agents, especially endoscopic powder, come into play as vital adjuncts to improve visibility, control oozing, and speed up procedures.
Spotlight on Surgi-ORC®-Based Endoscopic Powder
One of the most promising powdered forms—a plant-based, absorbable haemostat with a proven safety and efficacy profile. Originally launched as a sheet in 1943, ORC has now been adapted into powder to address the needs of current minimally invasive surgeries.
Why Surgi-ORC®-Based Endoscopic Powder Stands Out
• Effective Haemostasis: ORC facilitates platelet adhesion and aggregation to accelerate clotting
• Shape Plasticity: The granular structure of powdered haemostats and their shape plasticity allows them to conform easily to large and deep surface wounds
• Plant-Based Safety: Free from animal or human components, it reduces risks of immune reactions and disease transmission
• Antibacterial Action: Acidic pH helps kill bacteria at the wound site
• Biocompatible and Absorbable: Completely resorbed by the body with no cytotoxic effects, even near nerves or vessels
Thanks to these features, Surgi-ORC® powder excels at controlling bleeding from small vessels in restricted surgical fields.
Optimizing Application with Delivery Devices in MIS
The choice of delivery device plays a major role in the powder’s performance during MIS. Most MIS procedures rely on bellows-type applicators for controlled and accurate powder delivery.
How It Works
These applicators—resembling syringe-like devices—are equipped with short or long applicator tips designed to deliver the powder through laparoscopic ports or trocars. The bellows mechanism lets surgeons deposit powder accurately without blocking the field of view.
Key Considerations for Optimal Use
• Orientation: How you hold the device (vertically or horizontally) influences powder distribution more than how hard you squeeze
• Physical Properties of Powder: Particle size, flow characteristics, and moisture sensitivity also influence output
• Surgeon Technique: Output depends on the speed and force used when compressing the bellows
Real-World Applications 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.
Typical Applications:
• Liver resections performed laparoscopically
• Cardiothoracic
• Gynaecology MIS surgeries
• Endoscopic submucosal Endoscopic Powder dissections (ESD)
• 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.
ORC Powder: Efficacy and Safety in Studies
A postmarket clinical study evaluating SURGICEL® Powder (ORC-based haemostatic agent) in 103 patients undergoing various surgical procedures reported:
• 87.4% of patients had bleeding stopped in 5 minutes; 92.2% within 10 minutes
• Strong performance in open and minimally invasive settings
• No product-related complications—no rebleeding, thromboembolism, or adverse reactions
• Surgeons found it easy to use, highly effective, and praised the precise delivery with little extra intervention needed
This evidence supports the safety, efficiency, and flexibility of SURGICEL® Powder for difficult bleeding scenarios.
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.
From deep pelvic cavities to exposed liver surfaces or tight endoscopic sites, ORC-based powder provides the safe, adaptable solution surgeons need.
References
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