Published guidelines and standardized use of fibrin sealants and topical hemostatic agents

A transfusion medicine physician in Maine reports that in his institution the surgeons use a variety of fibrin sealants and topical hemostatic agents. While there are many published guidelines for use of blood components, the inquiring physician is not aware of published guidelines for use of fibrin sealants and topical hemostatic agents. He asks if any colleague is aware of published guidelines for use of these products? He also asks if any institutions have standardized the specific products used in their hospital, or is the choice of product at the discretion of the surgeon?

The following comments have been received.

ADDENDA Oct. 31, 2006

1. The editors note that the following articles may be germane to the discussion:

A review of topical hemostatic agents: Tomizawa, Y. Clinical benefits and risk analysis of topical hemostats: a review. J Artif Organs. 2005;8(3):137-42.
A review of "absorbable" hemostatic agents: Gabay, M. Absorbable Hemostatic Agents. Am J Health-Syst Pharm. 2006;63(13):1244-1253.

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