Surgicel: macrophage processing of the fibrous component.

Previous reports have demonstrated that Surgicel, a local haemostatic agent, is absorbed from implantation sites. In an earlier study, it was shown that the material consists of a uronic acid component and a fibrous residue. A chemically quantified loss of the uronic acid component within 18 h of implantation was demonstrated. The aim of the present study was to examine the fate of the fibrous residue in rat tissues, using both light and electron microscopy. Results indicated that this fibrous component is phagocytosed by macrophages at the site of implantation. A model for the clearance of Surgicel from tissue implantation sites is presented.