Ethicon’s Evicel an “important element” in liver and vascular procedures

Ethicon’s fibrin sealant Evicel has been described as an “important element” of haemostasis in many liver and vascular procedures.

Evicel is an all-human plasma-derived fibrin sealant that does not contain aprotinin – which has been associated with adverse health effects.

This week, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted an expanded indication for Evicel, confirming that it is now approved for use as an adjunct to haemostasis in patients undergoing surgery when control of bleeding by standard techniques is ineffective.

R Clement Darling, head of the division of vascular surgery at the Albany Medical Centre, commented on Evicel’s importance: “In surgery, the success of the procedure can sometimes depend upon the surgeon’s ability to control blood loss quickly and effectively.”

He added that he was pleased to see the expanded indication and that it would bring many benefits to both patients and surgeons.

Ethicon states that Evicel is easy to use and readily available when needed in the operating room.

It is sold as a frozen liquid and requires less than one minute preparation time after thawing.

Late last year, Ethicon Endo-Surgery announced the launch of Harmonic Focus curved shears, an energy device designed for delicate dissections in open surgeries.