Endoscopic Powder: A Game-Changer in Haemostasis for Minimally Invasive Surgery
The ability to achieve reliable haemostasis is vital in every surgical setting. Besides reducing bleeding, proper haemostasis cuts down the chances of transfusions and post-surgical issues. In minimally invasive surgeries like laparoscopy or endoscopy, controlling bleeding is especially challenging due to limited space, visibility, and anatomical intricacy.
As more procedures move toward minimally invasive methods, there’s a greater demand for flexible, effective bleeding control solutions when traditional methods aren’t enough.
The Haemostatic Challenge in MIS
Minimally invasive surgery provides advantages including faster healing and minimal scarring, but also presents new obstacles for bleeding control. However, these benefits come with the challenge of difficult bleeding management. Limited maneuverability, constrained visualization, and the absence of tactile feedback make it harder to manage diffuse or irregular bleeding.
Suturing, tying, or cauterising are not always feasible in minimally invasive procedures. That’s where topical haemostatic agents, especially endoscopic powder, come into play as vital adjuncts to improve visibility, control oozing, and speed up procedures.
Understanding Surgi-ORC® Endoscopic Powder
Surgi-ORC® endoscopic powder is a standout, plant-derived, absorbable haemostat with robust clinical backing. ORC was first introduced in 1943 in sheet form and has since evolved to meet the demands of modern MIS through powder formulations.
Why Surgi-ORC®-Based Endoscopic Powder Stands Out
• Accelerated Clotting: ORC’s mechanism enhances platelet activity and clot formation
• Conformability: The powder’s granular shape adapts to wounds, covering both large and deep surfaces
• No Animal Content: Plant origin means reduced risk of allergic or infectious complications
• Bactericidal Properties: Acidic environment inhibits bacterial growth
• Biocompatible and Absorbable: Completely resorbed by the body with no cytotoxic effects, even near nerves or vessels
With these properties, Surgi-ORC® endoscopic powder is perfect for mild-to-moderate bleeding, particularly from capillaries, veins, or small arteries in hard-to-reach areas.
Precision Application: Endoscopic Powder Delivery Devices
The delivery method is a critical yet often overlooked factor in a powder’s haemostatic performance. Most MIS procedures rely on bellows-type applicators for controlled and accurate powder delivery.
How It Works
Syringe-style bellows devices, fitted with short or long tips, can deliver powder through MIS access points. By manually compressing the bellows, surgeons can apply a consistent amount of haemostatic agent directly onto the bleeding site without obstructing the surgical view.
Best Practices for Using Endoscopic Powder
• Orientation: How you hold the device (vertically or horizontally) influences powder distribution more than how hard you squeeze
• Physical Properties of Powder: Particle size, flow characteristics, and moisture sensitivity also influence output
• Surgeon Technique: Output depends on the speed and force used when compressing the bellows
Real-World Applications of Endoscopic Powder
When working in tight spaces or near fragile tissues, endoscopic powder is especially useful. Because of its conformability, surgeons can treat both broad raw surfaces and deep crevices with ease.
Common Uses Include:
• Minimally invasive liver surgeries
• Thoracic surgery procedures
• Laparoscopic gynaecologic interventions
• Endoscopic submucosal dissections (ESD)
• Urologic procedures
Endoscopic powders boost surgical efficiency by speeding up haemostasis, cutting transfusion needs, and improving results.
Clinical Data Supporting ORC Powder
A postmarket clinical study evaluating SURGICEL® Powder (ORC-based haemostatic agent) in 103 patients undergoing various surgical procedures reported:
• 87.4% haemostasis at 5 minutes, rising to 92.2% at 10 minutes
• Effective in both open and MIS procedures
• No product-related complications—no rebleeding, thromboembolism, or adverse reactions
• Surgeons noted its ease of use, accuracy, and minimal need for extra measures
Overall, the data shows SURGICEL® Powder as a safe, effective, and adaptable haemostatic agent—especially when conventional tools aren’t enough.
Final Thoughts
As MIS continues Endoscopic Powder to evolve, so does the demand for advanced haemostatic tools. ORC-based endoscopic powders offer surgeons rapid, flexible, and reliable bleeding control options.
Whether you're managing bleeding in a deep pelvic space, a raw liver surface, or a narrow endoscopic field, ORC endoscopic powder delivers the performance and flexibility modern surgery requires—safely and effectively.
References
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