USDA Approves XSTAT Wound Plug For Civilian
The United States Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of the XSTAT-30 Rapid Hemostasis System for use on humans. XSTAT is a product of RevMedX, which has been in use with the military for a few years, helping prevent death by exsanguination (ie bleeding out).
Think of it as a tourniquet, but for wounds that where a tourniquet would not be useful like the armpit or groin. It is extremely useful for gunshots, which have a tendency to cause massive internal bleeding through trauma, tearing, and cutting.
Uncontrolled hemorrhage is the most likely cause of death for military casualties due to battlefield injuries. In WWII, it was estimated 40% of casualties could have been saved if they received care within four hours. The XSTAT is rated to stop bleeding for four hours.
Its use is simple. Insert into wound and let the sponges swell to put immediate pressure on the sources of bleeding. According to RevMedX, the sponges work within 20 seconds of contact. For certain applications, it will be a literal life-saver, but it is not appropriate for certain wound types and locations “the pleural cavity; the mediastinum; the abdomen; the retroperitoneal space; the sacral space above the inguinal ligament; or tissues above the clavicle.”
To ensure nothing is left behind after surgical care, each sponge has an X-ray marker.
No word if the XSTAT will be available for direct civilian sale, despite approval for civilian use, but I am sure the company will offer it, if allowed.
One of TFB's resident Jarheads, Nathan now works within the firearms industry. A consecutive Marine rifle and pistol expert, he enjoys local 3-gun, NFA, gunsmithing, MSR's, & high-speed gear. Nathan has traveled to over 30 countries working with US DoD & foreign MoDs.The above post is my opinion and does not reflect the views of any company or organization.
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That thing looks like it's several inches around. A wound from a 7.62x39 or x51 is .30 inches. Are they advocating enlarging the wound cavity to stick this monstrosity in? Bullet cavities aren't that shallow or large in diameter. If only wound cavities were as wide and shallow as the illustration.
As I have said here, again and again, primary cavities are what kill people. Exsanguination happens rapidly if you hit certain structures in the body–carotid artery; heart; lungs; aorta; vena cavae; iliac arteries or veins; femoral arteries and veins; the liver; fractured femurs; etc. You can't stick a syringe full of sponges through a small or big hole and stop bleeding in these structures, the patient won't live that long. If they do, good luck finding the laceration in some guy's liver with you blunt nosed object.
If you get gut shot, you'll probably live; although you'll have one helluva case of peritonitis and may have a colostomy bag. You'll probably live from isolated limb trauma, too. Although you might lose the limb to amputation.
For external trauma, Quik Clot is much better. I've treated everything from bear maulings to backhoe maulings to external trauma due to MVAs.
Another problem: I can't find a website for XSTAT.
Sounds like it might be handy for EMT and such in the non-warfare arena. I can see the gunshot wound treatment for both lawmen and suspects who have sustained a gunshot or stab wound. It may - as is or with some development - also be useful in treating injuries from automotive or industrial accidents.