Key Messages
- SURGICEL™ Powder and SNoW™ are designed for diffuse, low-pressure bleeding and offer faster, less invasive solutions than suturing.
- SURGICEL™ Powder and SNoW™ have a dual mechanism of action: induces vasoconstriction and activates the clotting cascade.1-4
- SURGICEL™ Powder is ideal for irregular surfaces and hard-to-access sites with no preparation required† and achieves hemostasis in 30 seconds, even after irrigation.*1-5
- SURGICEL SNoW™ is a structured matrix for better conformability and tissue adherence3,6 achieves 43% faster hemostasis than SURGICEL™ Original³* and is more effective than 4 layers of SURGICEL™ Original7
- SURGICEL SNoW™ maintains shape and enables trocar compatibility3,6*§ and is associated with up to 38% lower transfusion costs8*
- SURGICEL™ is the only hemostat with proven in vitro antibacterial properties, including activity against drug-resistant pathogens9-14,¶,||
- The use of adjunctive hemostats like SURGICEL™ linked to reduced OR time, length of stay, transfusions, and readmissions.15-24
Detailed Talk Track
In cases like this, I’d like to introduce the SURGICEL™ family of absorbable hemostats,particularly SURGICEL™ Powder and SURGICEL SNoW™, which are specifically engineered to address diffuse, surface-level bleeding in a way that is faster, less traumatic to tissue, and easier to integrate into your surgical workflow.
SURGICEL™ products are made from oxidized regenerated cellulose (ORC) and control bleeding through a dual mechanism of action—inducing vasoconstriction and facilitating clot formation in coordination with the patient’s own clotting cascade.1-4 SURGICEL™ Powder is ideal for hard-to-access or irregular surfaces and requires no preperation†, enabling immediate application. It achieves hemostasis in an average of 30 seconds, even after irrigation.*1-5 This can save time while reducing manipulation of delicate structures.
SURGICEL SNoW™, with its unique structured matrix, is easy to handle, adheres effectively to tissue, and maintains its integrity during placement. It’s associated with:
- 43% faster hemostasis than SURGICEL™ Original3*
- Superior efficacy compared to four layers of SURGICEL™ Original7
- Enhanced conformability and trocar compatibility for minimally invasive cases3,6*§
- Up to 38% reduction in transfusion-related costs8*
- Additionally, SURGICEL™ is the only hemostat with proven in vitro antibacterial properties against a broad spectrum of pathogens, including drug-resistant organisms,9-14,¶,|| a key consideration in high-risk patients where preventing postoperative infection is critical.
Finally, extensive evidence supports the use of adjunctive hemostats like SURGICEL™ in reducing OR time, transfusion requirements, length of stay, and readmissions.15-24 Would you be open to trialing SURGICEL™ in upcoming cases where you anticipate broad surface oozing, to evaluate how it might streamline your hemostatic approach compared to oversewing?
References
*Compared to SURGICEL Original.
†Based on preclinical testing in a swine acute liver abrasion model
§17/21 surgeons agree (n=7) or strongly agree (n=10) that SURGICEL SNoW™ conforms better than SURGICEL™ Original. 19/19 surgeons agree (n=13) or strongly agree (n=6) that SURGICEL SNoW™ adheres to tissue better than SURGICEL™ Original.
¶The clinical benefit of these bactericidal claims has not been studied or demonstrated.
||In vitro compared to other TAH available in the US
1. MacDonald M. Pivotal study comparing performance of SURGICEL™ Powder—Absorbable Hemostatic Powder to ARISTA™ Absorbable Hemostatic Particles and PerClot® Polysaccharide Hemostatic System in a swine acute live biopsy model. Study 15-0120, Project 16438. September 2, 2015. Ethicon, Inc.
2. MacDonald M. Pivotal study comparing performance of SURGICEL™ Powder—Absorbable Hemostatic Powder to SURGICEL™ Original Absorbable Hemostat in a swine acute liver abrasion model. Study 15-0061, Project 16438. September 2, 2015. Ethicon, Inc.
3. SURGICEL™ Technical Report. 2018. Ethicon, Inc.
4. MacDonald M. Study comparing performance of SURGICEL™ Powder—Absorbable Hemostatic Powder to marketed competitive powdered topical hemostats in a swine acute liver abrasion model. Study 16-0006, Project 16438. March 8, 2016. Ethicon, Inc.
5. SURGICEL™ POWDER Absorbable Hemostat [Instructions for Use]. Ethicon, Inc.
6. Helms J. ETHICON™ biosurgery SNoW marketing claims
report. July 12, 2010. Ethicon, Inc.
7. Shnoda P. Project SNoW: Comparison of SURGICEL Non-Woven and SURGICEL™ ORIGINAL in the acute swine splenic incision hemostasis model. January 29, 2009. Ethicon, Inc.
8. Martyn D, Kocharian R, Lim S, et al. Reduction in hospital costs
and resource consumption associated with the use of
advanced topical hemostats during inpatient procedures. J
Med Econ. 2015;18(6):474481.
9. SURGICEL® ORIGINAL, SURGICEL® NU-KNIT®, SURGICEL® FIBRILLAR™ Instructions For Use. Ethicon, Inc
10. SURGICEL® SNoW™ Instructions For Use. Ethicon, Inc.
11. SURGICEL® Powder Instructions For Use. Ethicon, Inc.
12. Spangler D, Rothenburger S, Nguyen K, Jampani H, Weiss S, Bhende S, In Vitro Antimicrobial Activity of Oxidized Regenerated Cellulose Against Antibiotic-Resistant Microorganisms. Surgical Infections. 2003;4(3): 255-262.
13. Dineen P. The effect of oxidized regenerated cellulose on experimental infected splenotomies. J Surg Res 1977;23:114-116
14.SURGICEL™ Absorbable Hemostat. Full Prescribing Information, Ethicon, Inc.
15. Ferko N, Lee JM, Serebruany V, et al. A systematic approach to surgical hemostat use. JNJ Institute. 2017.academia.edu+1jnjinstitute.com+1
16. Martyn D, Kocharian R, Lim S, et al. Reduction in hospital costs and resource consumption associated with the use of advanced topical hemostats during inpatient procedures. Journal of Medical Economics. 2015. jnjmedtech.com
17. Hennegan K, Silber A, Yuan A, et al. HEOR study comparing clinical and economic outcomes of patients undergoing gynecologic surgery using SURGICEL™ Powder Absorbable Hemostat vs ARISTA™ Absorbable Hemostat. ISPOR Presentation. May 18–20, 2020. jnjmedtech.com+1news.thomasnet.com+1
18. Ethicon. New absorbable adjunctive hemostat from Ethicon helps surgeons control disruptive bleeding more efficiently. BioSpace. 2017. biospace.com+1news.thomasnet.com+1
19. Ethicon. SURGICEL® Powder Absorbable Hemostat is used in surgeries. ThomasNet News. 2017.news.thomasnet.com+1biospace.com+1
20. Ethicon. Retrospective study shows SURGICEL® family of topical absorbable hemostats decreases hospital resource use and lowers associated costs. PR Newswire. 2014. prnewswire.com
21. Shah T, Brethauer S, Danker WA III, et al. Implementation of a cost and variation reduction program for hemostasis products at a large academic medical center: a multi-stakeholder perspective. Medical Devices: Evidence and Research. 2025;18:63–73. dovepress.com
22. Ethicon. A systematic approach to surgical hemostat use. Academia.edu. 2017.mdpi.com+2academia.edu+2jnjinstitute.com+2
23. Ethicon. SURGICEL® Powder in knee osteoarthritis. ICH GCP Clinical Trials Registry. 2025. ichgcp.net
24. Ethicon. Clinical and applied safety and hemostatic effectiveness of SURGICEL® Powder. SAGE Journals. 2023
CONFIDENTIAL. FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR USE WITH ANY CUSTOMER OR FOR EXTERNAL DISTRIBUTION.
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