Mantovani, Mario (Unicamp);

Vidal, Benedicto Campos (Unicamp);

Concon Filho, Admar (Unicamp).

Acta Cirurgica Brasileira; volume 13, número 2. Abril 1998.

Trauma;

Hepatic trauma;

Type I collagen;

Hepatic regeneration.

Over the past 6 years we have used the Sangenstaken-Blackmore balloon to tamponade transfixing hepatic lesions. To replace this foreign body, we have considered the use of type I collagen, manufactured at Univ. Campinas, which can be molded to the entire wounded area, thus tamponading all surface irregularities. In this way, a complete tamponade may be achieved, and bile loss is prevented. Complete absorption of the material removes the problem of a foreign body. Twenty mongrel dogs received a perforating transfixing lesion in the central region of the liver, similar to that caused by a firearm bullet. Into the wounded tunnel type I collagen was introduced. Evaluations were made in the 4th, 7th, 15th and 30th day after the intervention, when animals were sacrificed. Polarizing microscope evaluation induced a homogeneous scar formation, with early, organized hepatic regeneration evident from the 7th day onward. It is therefore believed that the use of type I collagen is an effective and safe method to be used in this type of hepatic wounds.