Assessment of Suturing Technique, Gelatin Sponge and Aluminum Chloride in Controlling Hepatic Bleeding and Abdominal Adhesions in Dogs

Control of bleeding in liver surgery is a challenging procedure. The hemostatic time, gross lesions, and histopathological effects of topical hemostatic agents (Gelatin Sponge and Aluminum Chloride) were investigated in comparison with the standard suturing technique in an induced liver wound in dog. Eighteen dogs of both sexes were divided into 3 groups; Group (A) suture group, Group (B) gelatin sponge and Group (C) Aluminum Chloride (3 male and 3 female per each group). Results: Hemostasis time was significantly shorter in dogs treated by topical hemostatic agents in Group (B) and Group (C) in comparison to Group (A) (P < 0.001). Hemostasis times in Group (C) were significantly less than those of Group (A) and Group (B) (P < 0.001). Grossly, peritoneal adhesion was observed extensive in Group (A), moderate in Group (B), and minimal in Group (C). Histopathologically, group (A) showed marked necrobiotic changes within the hepatic tissue associated with intra- and extra-lobular fibrosis. Group (B) demonstrated an over granulation tissue formation accompanied with persistent gelatin sponge spicules and obvious inflammatory reaction. While in Group (C), most dogs revealed an advanced degree of healing signs with minimal hepatic tissue injury. Aluminum Chloride compared to Gelatin Sponge and suturing the liver, offers an effective local hemostatic action to control bleeding in a liver tissue.