The chitosan collagen hemostatic sponge and its biocompatibility

Objective To prepare a sort of traumatic hemostatic material made from chitosan and collagen and to evaluate its biocompatibility. Methods First chitosan solution was put into purified collagen solution. After the solution was frozen and dried into a state of sponge, the toxicology tests were done, including acute toxicity, stimulate, allergic and hemolysis tests. Then the animal experiment was done. The models of bleeding trauma were made by 1cm×1cm incision at the rabbitsears (cutting up an ear artery), and by 1cm×1cm incision at the rabbits' liver. The incisions were patched with chitosan collagen sponge and gelatin sponge respectively, and the haemostatic time was recorded. Both kinds of the sponge were implanted in the liver and the results compared. Results At the rabbits' ears: the hemostatic time of chitosan collagen sponge was 120±6 seconds while that of gelatin sponge was 600±10 seconds. At the rabbits' liver: the hemostatic time of chitosan collagen sponge was 45±2 seconds while that of gelatin sponge was 75±3 seconds. The results of the implanting test of chitosan collagen sponge were nearly the same as those of gelatin sponge. There was a little inflammatory reaction. Both kinds of the sponge could degrade completely in liver in about 5 months. Other toxicology tests were negative. Conclusion The chitosan collagen sponge is an ideal hemostatic material and has good biocompatibility.