The use of topical thrombin to reduce wound haematoma in patients receiving low-dose heparin.

The efficacy of topical thrombin in prevention of wound haematoma in patients receiving subcutaneous low-dose heparin was studied in a randomized, controlled trial. One hundred and two patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery were included in the trial. Haematological studies were carried out in the last 42 patients to determine whether introduction of thrombin into the wound resulted in any systemic effect via the coagulation pathways. The frequency of post-operative wound haematoma was significantly lower in the thrombin-treated group as compared to the control group and its action appeared to be independent of any change in coagulation parameters.