Endoscopic Powder for Haemostasis: A Breakthrough in Minimally Invasive Surgery
Effective control of haemostasis is critical to the success of any surgical procedure. It not only limits blood loss during surgery but also lowers risks of transfusion and complications after the procedure. Yet, minimally invasive surgeries—like laparoscopic and endoscopic interventions—make bleeding control more complex because of restricted maneuverability and visibility.
As surgical techniques continue to shift toward less invasive approaches, the need for effective, adaptable haemostatic solutions becomes increasingly critical—especially when conventional methods fall short.
The Haemostatic Challenge in MIS
Compared to open surgeries, MIS—such as laparoscopic and endoscopic procedures—offers numerous benefits like reduced recovery time and smaller scars. These positive factors, however, increase the complexity of haemostasis. 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. This is where topical haemostatic products—particularly endoscopic powders—are essential for boosting visibility and rapid bleeding control.
Surgi-ORC® Powder: An Innovative Haemostatic Solution
One of the most promising powdered forms—a plant-based, absorbable haemostat with a proven safety and efficacy profile. Introduced decades ago as a sheet, oxidized regenerated cellulose (ORC) is now available in powder form for today’s MIS challenges.
Key Benefits of Surgi-ORC® Endoscopic Powder
• Effective Haemostasis: ORC facilitates platelet adhesion and aggregation to accelerate clotting
• Shape Plasticity: The granular structure of powdered haemostats and their shape plasticity allows them to conform easily to large and deep surface wounds
• Plant-Based Safety: Free from animal or human components, it reduces risks of immune reactions and disease transmission
• Antibacterial Environment: The oxidation process lowers pH, creating an acidic microenvironment that offers bactericidal benefits
• 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.
Key Considerations for Optimal Use
• 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
• Operator Technique: Delivery efficiency varies based on how quickly and forcefully the bellows are compressed [5]
Real-World Applications of Endoscopic Powder
When working in tight spaces or near fragile tissues, endoscopic powder Endoscopic Powder is especially useful. Because of its conformability, surgeons can treat both broad raw surfaces and deep crevices with ease.
Endoscopic Powder is Commonly Used For:
• Laparoscopic liver resections
• Cardiothoracic
• 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 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% 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
With minimally invasive surgery on the rise, there’s a growing need for innovative bleeding control solutions. Among these, ORC endoscopic powder has proven to be both efficient and easy for surgeons to use.
From deep pelvic cavities to exposed liver surfaces or tight endoscopic sites, ORC-based powder provides the safe, adaptable solution surgeons need.
References
1. Zhang Y, Song D, Huang H, Liang Z, Liu H, Huang Y, Zhong C, Ye G. Minimally invasive hemostatic materials: tackling a dilemma of fluidity and adhesion by photopolymerization in situ. Scientific Reports. 2017 Nov 10;7(1):15250.
2. De la Torre RA, Bachman SL, Wheeler AA, Bartow KN, Scott JS. Hemostasis and hemostatic agents in minimally invasive surgery. Surgery. 2007 Oct 1;142(4):S39-45.
3. Al-Attar N, de Jonge E, Kocharian R, Ilie B, Barnett E, Berrevoet F. Safety and hemostatic effectiveness of SURGICEL® powder in mild and moderate intraoperative bleeding. Clinical and Applied Thrombosis/Hemostasis. 2023 Jul;29:10760296231190376.
4. Xiao X, Wu Z. A narrative review of different hemostatic materials in emergency treatment of trauma. Emerg Med Int. 2022;2022: 6023261
5. Stark M, Wang AY, Corrigan B, Woldu HG, Azizighannad S, Cipolla G, Kocharian R, De Leon H. Comparative analyses of the hemostatic efficacy and surgical device performance of powdered oxidized regenerated cellulose and starch-based powder formulations. Research and Practice in Thrombosis and Haemostasis. 2025 Jan 1;9(1):102668.
6. Bustamante-Balén M, Plumé G. Role of hemostatic powders in the endoscopic management of gastrointestinal bleeding. World Journal of Gastrointestinal Pathophysiology. 2014 Aug 15;5(3):284.