Biomaterials for Hemorrhage Control

Hemorrhage control is vital for clinical outcome after surgical treatment and prehospital trauma injuries. Numerous biomaterials have been investigated to control surgical and traumatic bleeding. A comprehensive review has been conducted in the area focused on the topical biomaterials for severe bleeding in prehospital settings. Solid biopolymers and ceramics are most promising materials for lethal external hemorrhage through a variety of mechanisms, while there are currently no definitive topical hemostatic materials for noncompressible internal bleeding on the battlefield. Despite tremendous studies of liquid tissue sealants, their uses for uncontrolled hemorrhage are still limited. Further development of new hemostatic materials for internal bleeding is required. © Society for Biomaterials and Artificial Organs (India), 2010.