The FDA has approved LeGoo (PluroMed Inc, Woburn, Mass), a gel that allows surgeons to temporarily stop blood flow during surgery so that they can join blood vessels without clamps or elastic loops. LeGoo has been shown to minimize blood flow into the surgical area without damaging blood vessels.
This temperature-sensitive gel is liquid at room temperature and solid at higher temperatures. When injected into a blood vessel, LeGoo forms a gel plug that molds to the shape of the blood vessel and stops blood flow for up to 15 minutes. After the blood vessels are joined, the plug is expected to dissolve on its own in 15 minutes. In the event the plug needs to dissolve sooner, the surgeon can dissolve the gel plug by applying a cold pack or cold saline to the blood vessel.
LeGoo is approved for temporarily stopping blood flow in blood vessels below the neck that are 4 mm or less in diameter. It is contraindicated for use on vessels supplying blood to the brain. ■
