Alum in Controlling Hepatic Bleeding: An Animal Model Study

Background: Controlling parenchymal hemorrhage especially in liver parenchyma, despite the progress in surgical science, is still one of the challenges that surgeons face when trying to save patients’ lives. Researchers in the field are challenging to introduce a more effective method. Objectives: The current study aimed to determine the haemostatic effect of alum [KAl (SO4)2] and compare it with that of standard method, suturing technique, in controlling bleeding from liver parenchymal tissue. Materials and Methods: In this animal model study, 60 male Wistar rats were used. An incision, two centimeters long and half a centimeter deep, was made on each rat’s liver and the hemostasis time was measured once using alum with different concentrations (5%, 10%, 15%, 25%, and 50%) and then the control method, controlling bleeding by suturing, was employed. The liver tissue was examined for pathological changes. Results: Complete hemostasis occurred in all the groups. There was a statistically significant difference between the two haemostatic times (P < 0.001). The haemostatic times in different concentrations of alum were significantly less than that of the control group (P < 0.001). The pathologic examination showed the highest frequency of low-grade inflammation based on the defined pathological grading. Conclusions: Alum might be an effective haemostatic agent in controlling liver parenchymal tissue hemorrhage in an animal model.