Glycine as an irrigant during microsurgical hemostasis. A microsurgeon's observations

Abstract

The "drip-stop-coagulate" technique used during microsurgery is tedious and, at times, frustrating when electrolyte-rich solutions are used as an irrigant. Glycine, a nonelectrolyte solution, allows the gynecologist to apply electrosurgical energy in a fluid medium; lactated Ringer's solution, the irrigant frequently used by microsurgeons, will not. When, during microsurgery, glycine is used in place of lactated Ringer's solution, the origin of the bleeding site can be easily isolated and coagulated during irrigation, assisting the surgeon in precise and complete hemostasis.