A porcine epistaxis model: hemostatic effects of octylcyanoacrylate.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a standardized porcine epistaxis model and evaluate the hemostatic effects of octyl-cyanoacrylate (OCA).

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Twenty-four standardized full-thickness wounds were created on the nasal septae of 7 pigs with a 4-mm surgical punch. Wounds were randomized to no treatment or topical OCA before and after full heparinization. The rate of hemostasis, time to hemostasis, and number of applicators of OCA required to achieve complete hemostasis were determined and groups were compared with t tests and chi2 tests.

RESULTS: Complete and sustained hemostasis was achieved in all wounds treated with OCA. The time to hemostasis was significantly shorter in the wounds treated with OCA vs those left to clot on their own (mean difference, 150 seconds; 95% CI, 92 to 209 seconds, P<0.001). None of the wounds required more than 3 applications of OCA.

CONCLUSIONS: We describe a simple and reproducible animal epistaxis model and demonstrate that OCA is effective in achieving hemostasis in this model.