CelloVet cellophane for portosystemic shunt surgery

Cellophane Thin Film Band

Pure cellophane is made by extruding regenerating cellulose from plant materials into a thin film. The thin cellulose film is folded into 4 layers, passed around the shunting vessel and secured in place using titanium clips. 

Following placement an initial acute inflammatory response is induced, followed by a slow, foreign body fibrous perivascular reaction resulting in gradual attenuation.

Studies

Although some studies report really good results using thin film bands overall in the published literature there is an inconsistency of efficacy. This however includes studies where the composition of the "cellophane" was not known. In several studies, spectroscopic chemical and structural analysis has confirmed what was thought to be cellophane is in fact not.

  
CelloVet directly addresses these concerns providing a known standard. CelloVet is now available pre-sterilised to remove yet another variable resulting from the effect different sterilisation protocols can have on handling.

With CelloVet, pure quality controlled cellophane is guaranteed,

packaged to protect from light and moisture.

Patient factors should be considered when deciding between the use of either an ameroid ring constrictor or a cellophane band

­

­

Shunt location - Depending on whether the shunt is intra or extra-hepatic cellophane or ameroids may be better depending on the ease of access. Ameroids are probably most appropriate for easily accessible areas, whereas cellophane is superior to the ameroid in terms of its flexibility, light weight, thinness and ability to be smoothly passed around shunts in hard to reach places, including around intra-hepatic locations.
 

Shunt size - Cellophane supplied by CelloVet is cut to a size that should be appropriate to encompass the smallest to largest of congenital portosytemic shunts. Ameroids on the other hand cannot be used on either shunts that are smaller than 3.5 mm or larger than 9 mm without ordering custom made rings from the manufacturer. 
With cellophane, one size fits all!

Bulk - Ameroids are heavy and bulky. It is often difficult to pass even the smallest ring around some shunts without a lot of finesse and skill. In small breeds, such as Yorkshire Terriers, often susceptible to congenital portosystemic shunts, the sheer size and heft of the ameroid around the shunt may cause early attenuation of the vessel. The weight of the ring when the animal is in a standing position may pull ventrally on the shunting vessel, raising the risk of early attenuation, portal hypertension and acquired shunts.
Ease of application - Cellophane is pliable and flexible, making it easy to manoeuvre in tight locations around the shunt. This helps to reduce the risk of vessel laceration when attempting to apply a bulky ameroid. Moreover, cellophane avoids the hassle associated with placing or misplacing the ameroid ring's "key". All you need is 4 metallic hemostatic clips to secure the cellophane around the shunt.