If a surgeon requests Gelfoam soaked with thrombin, the method to maintain hemostasis is?

The method to maintain hemostasis using Gelfoam soaked with thrombin is chemical in nature. Thrombin is a natural enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin in the blood coagulation pathway, leading to the formation of a stable blood clot. When Gelfoam, a gelatinous sponge, is soaked in thrombin and applied to a bleeding site, it promotes clot formation through a chemical reaction involving the thrombin and the components of the patient's blood.

This chemical method is particularly effective in achieving hemostasis in surgical procedures where there is a need to enhance natural clotting mechanisms rapidly. The interaction between thrombin and the blood proteins leads to increased platelet aggregation and the formation of a fibrin mesh, which effectively stops bleeding.

In contrast, other methods like thermal or electrical hemostasis involve different mechanisms, such as heat or electrical currents to directly cauterize tissues, while mechanical methods would involve placing pressure or using clamps to physically occlude blood vessels. Therefore, the use of thrombin-soaked Gelfoam relies on a chemical approach to achieve effective hemostasis during surgical procedures.