Tetsuya Katsumori1, Toshiyuki Kasahara. 1. Department of Radiology, Saiseikai Shiga Hospital, Ohashi 2-4-1, Ritto, Shiga, 520-3046, Japan. katsumo@eurus.dti.ne.jp
Abstract
PURPOSE: To assess whether the size distribution of gelatin sponge particles differed according to the method used to make them and the type of original sheet. METHODS: Gelatin sponge particles of approximately 1-1.5 x 1-1.5 x 2 mm were made from either Spongel or Gelfoam sheets by cutting with a scalpel and scissors. Particles were also made of either Spongel or Gelfoam sheets by pumping with two syringes and a three-way stopcock. The size distribution of the particles in saline was compared among the groups. RESULTS: (1) Cutting versus pumping: When Spongel was used, cutting produced lower rates of smaller particles < or = 500 microm and larger particles > 2000 microm compared with pumping back and forth 30 times (1.1% vs 37.6%, p < 0.0001; 2.2% vs 14.4%, p = 0.008). When Gelfoam was used, cutting produced lower rates of smaller and larger particles compared with pumping (8.5% vs 20.4%, p = 0.1809; 0% vs 48.1%, p < 0.0001). (2) Spongel versus Gelfoam: There was no significant difference in the size distribution of the particles between Spongel and Gelfoam (p = 0.2002) when cutting was used. CONCLUSION: The size distribution of gelatin sponge particles differed according to the method used to make them. More uniform particle sizes can be achieved by cutting than by pumping.
PURPOSE: To assess whether the size distribution of gelatin sponge particles differed according to the method used to make them and the type of original sheet. METHODS: Gelatin sponge particles of approximately 1-1.5 x 1-1.5 x 2 mm were made from either Spongel or Gelfoam sheets by cutting with a scalpel and scissors. Particles were also made of either Spongel or Gelfoam sheets by pumping with two syringes and a three-way stopcock. The size distribution of the particles in saline was compared among the groups. RESULTS: (1) Cutting versus pumping: When Spongel was used, cutting produced lower rates of smaller particles < or = 500 microm and larger particles > 2000 microm compared with pumping back and forth 30 times (1.1% vs 37.6%, p < 0.0001; 2.2% vs 14.4%, p = 0.008). When Gelfoam was used, cutting produced lower rates of smaller and larger particles compared with pumping (8.5% vs 20.4%, p = 0.1809; 0% vs 48.1%, p < 0.0001). (2) Spongel versus Gelfoam: There was no significant difference in the size distribution of the particles between Spongel and Gelfoam (p = 0.2002) when cutting was used. CONCLUSION: The size distribution of gelatin sponge particles differed according to the method used to make them. More uniform particle sizes can be achieved by cutting than by pumping.