CTICasesBioabsorbable Hemostatic Packing Material (Surgicel) Mimicking a Mass After Aortic Surgery
Imaging findings
A patient status post aortic surgery had postoperative imaging showing a gas-containing, somewhat mass-like collection at the operative site; a follow-up study roughly six weeks later showed the finding had completely resolved, consistent with resorption of bioabsorbable cellulose-based hemostatic packing material (Surgicel or similar) that had been placed intraoperatively to control bleeding.
Key takeaways
Bioabsorbable hemostatic packing materials such as Surgicel can appear mass-like and gas-containing on early postoperative imaging, mimicking an abscess, retained foreign body, or tumor, but they resorb over a period of weeks; recognizing this expected postoperative appearance and its trajectory of resolution prevents unnecessary concern or intervention.
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