Achieving hemostasis in surgical procedures is critical to prevent surgical bleeding progression, its associated complications and consequent additional hospital resource utilization. Gelatin-thrombin matrices (Surgiflo™ & Floseal™) are well-known products indicated as adjuncts to achieve hemostasis, with proven safety and efficacy in several types of surgeries. The objective of this study was to perform a systematic review and a meta-analysis to assess and compare safety, effectiveness and additional outcomes of Surgiflo™ & Floseal™ hemostatic matrices for bleeding control during surgical procedures. A systematic search of PubMed, Science Direct, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar and Medigraphic for published literature comparing both hemostatic matrices was conducted using the following key words: “Surgiflo”, “Floseal”, “gelatin thrombin matrix”, “meta-analysis”, “clinical trial” and “systematic review”. Inclusion criteria included RCTs and retrospective analyses comparing hemostatic matrices in procedures with high risk of surgical bleeding. For all relevant discrete outcomes (mayor & minor complications, blood transfusion, % patients achieving hemostasis ≤7 minutes), cumulative incidences and 95% CIs were estimated; for continuous outcomes (surgical time & length of stay), differences in means were evaluated. Results were pooled across studies by means of random- or fixed-effects models, depending on observed heterogeneity by means of the I2 statistic. All statistical analyses were performed with RevMan v.5.3. 193 studies were identified; only six studies met inclusion criteria (39,660 patients undergoing cranial & spinal procedures, laparoscopic nephrectomy and cardiac surgery). Forest plots were elaborated for all assessed outcomes; results demonstrate there are no statistically significant differences between evaluated hemostatic matrices in any of the considered outcomes. Substantial (>50%) and small (<25%) heterogeneity was observed. According to the results of this study, both hemostatic matrices are similar in terms of effectiveness, safety and other outcomes. Therefore, both technologies could be used indistinctly for any surgical procedure, with product choice having no impact on clinical outcomes.
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