WHAT IS A GELATIN HEMOSTATIC SPONGE? MECHANISM AND MEDICAL APPLICATIONS

During surgery or in cases of trauma, controlling bleeding is an important factor in minimizing complications and ensuring patient safety. In addition to traditional methods such as gauze compression, suturing, ligation, or electrocautery, absorbable hemostatic materials are increasingly used to help healthcare professionals control bleeding at injury sites.

Among these materials, the Gelatin Hemostatic Sponge (Absorbable Hemostatic Sponge) is widely used due to its ability to absorb fluids, support blood clot formation, and gradually biodegrade within the body.

What Is a Gelatin Hemostatic Sponge?

Gelatin is a type of protein obtained through the processing of collagen from animal sources. Due to its biocompatibility and ability to biodegrade within the body, gelatin is used in various biomedical applications, including the production of hemostatic materials.

A gelatin hemostatic sponge consists of a porous structure containing numerous interconnected small pores. This structure provides a large surface area and good fluid absorption capacity. When placed over a bleeding site, the sponge can absorb blood and fluid at the injured area while providing a physical matrix that helps concentrate components involved in the blood clotting process. As a result, the gelatin sponge supports the body's natural clot formation and helps control localized bleeding.

Mechanism of Hemostasis of Gelatin Sponges

A gelatin sponge does not simply act as a covering material for a wound; it also supports the body's natural hemostatic process. When it comes into contact with blood, its porous structure with numerous small pores helps rapidly absorb blood and fluid at the injury site. This helps concentrate platelets and coagulation factors in the area requiring hemostasis, creating favorable conditions for blood clot formation. (Akriti, 2023)

In addition, gelatin sponges can swell after absorbing fluid, helping partially fill the space at the injury site and exert gentle pressure on small blood vessels, thereby helping reduce blood flow. This property is particularly useful in areas with complex anatomical structures or locations that are difficult to access using conventional mechanical hemostatic techniques.

With its porous structure, a gelatin sponge helps concentrate platelets at the bleeding site, thereby supporting the body's clot formation process and helping control bleeding.

Applications of Gelatin Hemostatic Sponges in Surgery

Due to their fluid absorption capacity and ability to support blood coagulation, gelatin sponges are used in a variety of procedures and medical specialties.

Neurosurgery and Spinal Surgery

Gelatin sponges can be used to help control oozing from soft tissues or small blood vessels during surgery. They are particularly useful in areas where suturing or electrocautery is inconvenient or difficult to perform.

Dentistry and Otolaryngology

In dentistry, gelatin hemostatic sponges may be placed at tooth extraction sites to help control bleeding and support blood clot formation. In otolaryngological procedures, these materials may also be used on mucosal surfaces where localized bleeding needs to be controlled.

General Surgery and Obstetrics & Gynecology

Gelatin sponges may be applied to the surfaces of certain tissues and organs, such as the liver, spleen, or uterus, particularly in areas where suturing or electrocautery is difficult to perform. Depending on the specific situation, healthcare professionals may select a gelatin sponge as a supportive method alongside other hemostatic techniques.

Biodegradability

One of the important characteristics of gelatin hemostatic sponges is their biodegradability. After completing their role in supporting hemostasis, the material can gradually be absorbed by the body. Therefore, in appropriate cases, healthcare professionals may not need to perform an additional procedure to remove the sponge from the injury site.

This can help minimize further intervention in tissues that are undergoing the healing process.

Limitations of Traditional Gelatin Sponges

Despite their advantages, gelatin sponges also have certain material-related limitations. The natural gelatin structure can be susceptible to degradation in highly aqueous environments, while its mechanical strength may be relatively limited.

Therefore, under certain conditions, the ability of the material to maintain its structure and remain at the application site may not meet all requirements. This has led researchers to explore various improvement strategies aimed at enhancing mechanical strength, controlling degradation rates, and expanding the functionality of hemostatic sponges.

Emerging Technologies in Gelatin Hemostatic Sponge Development

Crosslinking Technology

One approach to improving the mechanical stability of gelatin sponges is the use of crosslinking technology, which creates additional bonds between gelatin chains. This method strengthens the interactions between gelatin chains, making the porous structure more stable and durable when exposed to fluids within the body.

Substances such as Genipin (GP) or the enzyme Microbial Transglutaminase (mTG), which facilitates crosslinking between protein chains, can be used in this process. This allows manufacturers to adjust the mechanical properties and degradation rate of the sponge, helping the material maintain its structure for a period appropriate to its intended application.

Integration of Nanomaterials

Nanotechnology is also being investigated to expand the functionality of hemostatic sponges. Materials such as silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) or zinc oxide (ZnO) can be incorporated into the porous structure to enhance antibacterial properties.

This approach is expected to contribute to the development of hemostatic materials that not only support bleeding control but may also provide additional functions suited to specific biomedical applications.

Conclusion

Gelatin hemostatic sponges are among the materials used to support bleeding control in various medical procedures and surgeries. Due to their porous structure, these materials can absorb fluids, help concentrate coagulation factors, and facilitate blood clot formation.

In addition to traditional gelatin products, emerging approaches such as crosslinking, composite materials, and nanotechnology are helping improve the properties of gelatin sponges, with the goal of developing hemostatic materials with enhanced performance and functions that better meet the needs of modern medicine.

Note: Gelatin hemostatic sponges are medical materials and must be manufactured, tested, and used in accordance with applicable standards and professional medical indications under the guidance of qualified healthcare professionals.

>> Learn more about the applications of gelatin in the pharmaceutical industry here: Pharmaceutical Industry – International Food Ingredients (IFI)