Era of Bloodless Surgery: Spotlights on Hemostasic Materials and Techniques

Abstract

Ever since mankind has had blood, efforts to stop bleeding have never ceased and so numerous methods for hemostasis have been developed. In recent de- cades, minimally invasive surgical techniques have led patients to less-bleeding surgery but, hemostatic agents, devices and techniques still play an important role in medical side. A number of hemostatic agents and devices have been de- veloped and they can be classified by their mechanism of action. That classifica- tion of the coagulants includes mechanisms with physical, caustic, bio-physical, biologic actions. Hemostatic devices are divided into categories such as dressings, glue, clips, electrocoagulations and so on. Based on the concept of minimally in- vasive surgical procedures, variously developed surgical techniques are divided by the number of ports used and auxiliary instruments. However, there are advan- tages and disadvantages to each of the hemostatic agents and minimally invasive methods, and the belief in the classical method also prevents the application of new hemostatic methods. The knowledge and understanding of the benefits and costs of these newly developed hemostatic methods will make it easier for medi- cal personnel to manage patient’s blood