[Light and electron microscopic studies on local reactions to implanted collagen hemostypticum--an experimental animal study].

A light and electron microscopic study was made on the resorption of native collagen fleece following its subcutaneous implantation or its application on a bleeding liver surface in 132 Wistar rats. Resorption of collagen began with the immigration of micro- and macrophages. Organisation of subcutaneous connective tissue was seen from day 5 p.o. to day 15 p.o. The excessive connective tissue was removed after 25 days and foreign body granulomas were eliminated after 50 to 100 days. Typical characteristics of application of the collagen fleece on bleeding liver surface are: Rapid hemostasis, mesothelisation of collagen towards the peritoneum after 1 day, resorption and organisation without adhesion after 10 days. The final heeling leads to a smooth thickening of the liver capsula with a few residual granulomas after 100 days.