Endoscopic Powder: A Game-Changer in Haemostasis for Minimally Invasive Surgery

The ability to achieve reliable haemostasis is vital in every surgical setting. It not only limits blood loss during surgery but also lowers risks of transfusion and complications after the procedure. 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.

 

 

Challenges of Haemostasis in Minimally Invasive Surgery

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.

Conventional techniques like suturing, tying off vessels, or cauterization can be difficult to use during MIS. 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

• Effective Haemostasis: ORC facilitates platelet adhesion and aggregation to accelerate clotting
• 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

These characteristics make Surgi-ORC® endoscopic powder an ideal choice for managing mild to moderate bleeding—especially capillary, venous, or small arterial oozing in confined spaces.

 

 

Optimizing Application with Delivery Devices in MIS

How the powder is delivered greatly influences its effectiveness in surgery. In MIS, bellows pump-based applicators are widely used to deliver endoscopic powder with accuracy and control.

 

 

Operation of Endoscopic Powder Applicators

These applicators—resembling syringe-like devices—are equipped with short or long applicator tips designed to deliver the powder through laparoscopic ports or trocars. The bellows mechanism lets surgeons deposit powder accurately without blocking the field of view.

 

 

Maximizing Effectiveness: Usage Tips

• Device Orientation: The angle of application (vertical/horizontal) affects how the powder spreads—often more than compression speed
• Powder Properties: The grain size and flowability, plus moisture sensitivity, impact delivery
• Application Style: The surgeon’s technique and compression force also influence powder delivery

 

 

Where Endoscopic Powder Excels in Practice

In cases where visibility is poor or anatomy is complex, endoscopic powder becomes an essential tool. Its flexible form lets it cover both wide wounds and tight spaces with equal efficiency.

Typical Applications:

• Liver resections performed laparoscopically
• Cardiothoracic MIS cases
• Gynaecologic laparoscopic procedures
• Submucosal dissection cases
• Minimally invasive urology surgeries

Using endoscopic powder helps surgeons see better, stop bleeding quicker, and complete operations faster—often with less need for transfusions and better patient outcomes.

 

 

Clinical Evidence: Proven Performance of ORC Powder

A postmarket clinical study evaluating SURGICEL® Powder (ORC-based haemostatic agent) in 103 patients undergoing various surgical procedures reported:

• 87.4% of patients had bleeding stopped in 5 minutes; 92.2% within 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 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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