FDA expands use of bleeding sealant

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 (UPI) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has expanded use of a liquid protein sealant to help control bleeding during general surgery.

The sealant, called Evicel, is sprayed or dripped onto small, oozing blood vessels to help stop bleeding. The FDA said Evicel, previously approved for use during liver and vascular surgery, may now be used for general surgery applications.

"This approval provides a new option to help control bleeding during general surgery, when other approaches and techniques are ineffective or impractical," said Dr. Jesse Goodman, director of the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research.

The FDA approved Evicel's predecessor, Crosseal, in 2003 for use during liver surgery. It became Evicel last May when the FDA expanded the indication to include use during vascular surgery.

Evicel is manufactured by OMRIX Biopharmaceuticals Ltd. of Kiryat Ono, Israel.