From the Research
Surgical foam should be left on a wound for at least 8 hours to effectively stop bleeding, as supported by the most recent and highest quality study 1.
Key Considerations
- The duration of leaving surgical foam on a wound depends on the specific product used and the severity of the wound.
- It is essential to follow the instructions provided with the particular hemostatic foam product.
- Some foams naturally absorb into the body over time, while others may need to be removed during a follow-up appointment.
Mechanism of Action
- Surgical foams work by providing a physical scaffold that promotes platelet aggregation and the formation of fibrin, which strengthens the blood clot.
- They also often contain active ingredients like thrombin or gelatin that accelerate the body's natural clotting mechanisms.
Important Notes
- Keep the wound clean and dry, and avoid disturbing the foam to prevent disrupting the clotting process.
- If bleeding persists through the foam or if you notice signs of infection such as increasing pain, redness, warmth, or discharge, seek immediate medical attention.
Supporting Evidence
- A study published in the International Journal of Pharmaceutics 1 found that a trilaminate dressing loaded with tranexamic acid could stop bleeding in a punctured artery of a rat tail faster than the negative control by 59%.
- Another study published in the Journal of Biomedical Materials Research 2 introduced a novel, instant clot-forming NO-releasing dressing that could reduce blood loss in trauma injuries.