Demystifying Topical Hemostatic Agents: A Mental Model for Surgeons

The scrub tech holds up two boxes, “SURGICEL or EVARREST?”, and you realize nobody ever taught you the difference. Patrick Georgoff, MD, John McClellan, MD, Kevin Kniery, MD, and Nick Teman, MD, break down topical hemostatic agents, one of the most used and least taught tools in the OR. You’ll get a simple two-question model for picking the right product: can your patient make their own clot, and can a patch reach the bleeding? Through trauma, vascular, and cardiac cases, the team covers when these agents earn their keep and when two minutes of pressure (no peeking!) will do the job. Bottom line: hemostatic agents speed up hemostasis, but they’re a targeted adjunct to good surgical technique, not a substitute for it!
Hosts: Patrick Georgoff, MD, Duke Nick Teman, MD, University of Colorado John McCllelan, MD, UNC Kevin Kniery, MD, Madigan Army Medical Center Topical Hemostatic Agent PDF link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Qv9V_0l20CTXKQ_83newveIahmxzlpcb/view?usp=sharing Please visit https://behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more. If you liked this episode, check out our recent episodes here: https://behindtheknife.org/listen Behind the Knife Premium: https://behindtheknife.org/premium Oral Board Review: https://behindtheknife.org/oral-board Oral Board Simulator: https://behindtheknife.org/oral-board/simulator General Surgery Oral Board Review Course: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/general-surgery-oral-board-review Trauma Surgery Video Atlas: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/trauma-surgery-video-atlas Dominate Surgery: A High-Yield Guide to Your Surgery Clerkship: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/dominate-surgery-a-high-yield-guide-to-your-surgery-clerkship Dominate Surgery for APPs: A High-Yield Guide to Your Surgery Rotation: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/dominate-surgery-for-apps-a-high-yield-guide-to-your-surgery-rotation Vascular Surgery Oral Board Review Course: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/vascular-surgery-oral-board-review Colorectal Surgery Oral Board Review Course: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/colorectal-surgery-oral-board-review Surgical Oncology Oral Board Review Course: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/surgical-oncology-oral-board-review Cardiothoracic Oral Board Review Course: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/cardiothoracic-surgery-oral-board-review OBGYN Oral Board Review Course: https://behindtheknife.org/course/obgyn-oral-board-review Surgical Critical Care Review: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/surgical-critical-care-review ABSITE Question Bank: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/absite-question-bank EPA Playbook: https://behindtheknife.org/course/epa-playbook Surgical Instrument Flashcards: https://behindtheknife.org/course/surgical-instrument-flashcards ABSITE Review: https://behindtheknife.org/course/absite-2026-exam-review Download our App: Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/behind-the-knife/id1672420049 Android/Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.btk.app&hl=en_US