Evaluation of an Absorbable Surgical Hemostatic Agent: Thrombi-Gel® Versus Gelfoam-Thrombin

This is a prospective, randomized, multi-center investigation with a minimum of seventy five (75) study subjects designed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the Thrombi-Gel product as an absorbable hemostat in the surgical patient population.

Subjects who are undergoing orthopedic/spinal, general, cardiac, hepatic or vascular surgical procedures should be considered for this investigation. Subjects can be pre-screened utilizing standard of care data for the specified inclusion/exclusion criteria to ensure that they are eligible for treatment in the investigation. If the subject appears to qualify for the investigation, the subject will then be asked to give his/her written informed consent. If, during surgery, the surgeon encounters a bleeding site that he or she is unable or unwilling to easily control due to failure or impracticality of conventional methods (sutures and/or cautery), the subject may be enrolled and randomized to receive either the investigational or control treatment. If the subject has multiple bleeding sites, each site to a maximum of 5 sites, may be treated with the assigned surgical hemostat. However, only the first site treated will be used to determine study objectives. All subjects will be followed through their hospitalization.

A follow-up evaluation will be conducted at approximately 30 and 60 days post-procedure to determine the long-term effectiveness of the hemostatic treatment received, incidence of late adverse events, and interim immunologic response to the study treatment device. Follow-up evaluations will include obtaining a blood specimen that evaluates for antibody development, coagulation, and Factor Va testing. Blood samples will be sent to independent labs for analysis.

From baseline to the final study exam, data pertaining to the investigational objectives will be recorded on the appropriate case report forms at the predetermined study intervals. The investigation will be conducted at a minimum of five (5) sites, but no more than fifteen (15) sites.

Inclusion criteria

• The subject is 18 years of age or older
• The subject is undergoing an orthopedic/spinal, general, cardiac, hepatic, or vascular surgical procedure (neurosurgical, ophthalmic or urological procedures must be excluded)
• The subject is willing and able to provide appropriate informed consent
• The subject is willing and able to comply with the requirements of the study protocol, including the predefined follow-up evaluations

Inclusion criteria

to be determined during the surgical procedure:

• The subject has an intraoperative bleeding site which the surgeon is unable or unwilling to easily control with conventional methods (cautery, sutures)

Exclusion criteria

• The subject is known or suspected to be pregnant (verified in a manner consistent with institution's standard of care), or is lactating
• The subject has a known allergy to bovine derived products or any other materials used in the Thrombi-Gel product
• The subject has an active infection at the surgical site
• The use of hemostatic agents are contraindicated for the subject
• The subject has a known bleeding disorder (including thrombocytopenia [< 100,000 platelet count], thrombobasthenia, hemophilia, or von Willebrand disease)
• The subject has received antibiotic solutions/powders at the intended application site
• The subject has had surgery at the intended application site ≤ 6 months before the current surgical procedure
• The subject is unavailable for follow-up
• The subject is currently participating in another investigational device or drug trial
• The subject has previously participated in this trial (Protocol 0307) or the Thrombi-Paste trial (Protocol 0507)