Background: High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is effective in producing hemostasis in injuries from organ lacerations and punctures in animals but has not been evaluated in impact injuries.
Method: High-energy blows were applied to 11 heparinized and anesthetized pigs, resulting in solid organ injury. HIFU was applied to injuries via laparotomy. The animals were closed, administered saline, observed under general anesthesia for 3.6 +/- 0.4 hours, reopened, and inspected, and abdominal free fluid was aspirated.
Results: Organ hemostasis was achieved (mean +/- SD) with 15 +/- 6 minutes of HIFU treatment and 54 +/- 3 minutes of operating time, and 18.8 +/- 13.1 mL/kg of blood was recovered from the abdomen. One animal died from an untreated occult injury to a large vein. HIFU-treated sites were hemostatic at relaparotomy, with 8.6 +/- 6.2 mL/kg abdominal serosanguinous fluid recovered.
Conclusion: HIFU is effective in producing hemostasis by direct treatment of injured parenchyma in blunt trauma.