Biologic Hemostatic Agents in Obstetrics and Gynecology

In Obstetrics and Gynecology, the practice of biologic hemostatic agents in the field are generally used to augment the basic tenets of hemostasis to decrease the morbidity and mortality of such procedures. These hemostatic agents work along with the body’s physiology to rapidly aid in platelet plug formation, activation of the clotting cascade, the creation of fibrin, and to form a stable clot. The four main sub-categories of hemostatic agents include mechanical, biological, flowable, and fibrin sealants. Mechanical agents act as scaffolding for platelet aggregation to form a platelet plug. Biological agents activate clotting factors in the coagulation cascade to aid in hemostasis. Flowable agents combine biologic with mechanical agents to stabilize clot formation while also providing mechanical tamponade. Fibrin sealants combine high levels of fibrin and thrombin that when combined, form a fibrin clot at an accelerated speed. Hemostatic agents in obstetrics are often used in the setting of postpartum hemorrhage, cesarean delivery and postpartum hysterectomy to decrease the rate of morbidity most commonly seen with abnormal placentation and uterine atony. With gynecologic surgery, hemostatic agents are more commonly used then in obstetrics. They aid in hemostasis with common gynecologic procedures including hysterectomies, ovarian cystectomies, myomectomies, endometriosis cases, incontinence procedures and malignant debulking procedures. Also, with the increase in minimally invasive surgical techniques, topical hemostasis can aid in fewer transfusions, improved visualization in the surgical field decreased operative time and reduction in the risk of conversion to laparotomy.