Polyvinyl alcohol foam-Gelfoam for therapeutic embolization: a synergistic mixture.

Gelfoam and polyvinyl alcohol foam particles each have advantages and disadvantages for therapeutic embolization. It was theorized and confirmed that a mixture of the two retains the advantages and eliminates the disadvantages of each. Two mixtures were prepared, tested in animals, and used successfully in 14 patients. It was found that the mixtures of Gelfoam and polyvinyl alcohol foam particles fulfilled the expectations and needs for particulate embolic materials.