EVALUATION OF EFFICACY OF CHITOSAN BASED HAEMOSTATIC AGENT FOR ACHIEVING HAEMOSTASIS IN VARIOUS PERIODONTAL SURGERIES -A PILOT STUDY.

Abstract

Periodontal surgical procedures like excision of overgrowth and harvesting graft from palate in free gingival graft procedures can cause excessive intraoperative bleeding. Uncontrolled bleeding obscures the visibility of the site for optimal debridement thus increasing the risk for recurrence. It also affects healing of the site, extends the duration of surgery and increases stress for the patient. Aim: To evaluate efficacy of a chitosan based hemostatic agent in achieving hemostasis in various periodontal surgeries. Material and Method: 13 patients indicated for periodontal surgery were selected. Intraoperative bleeding was controlled with chitosan sponge. Duration of hemostasis was recorded. Each patient was evaluated for all the parameters at 24 hrs. and on 7th day post-surgery. Results: The surgical sites treated with chitosan sponge showed mean hemostasis time of 3min 04 +/-15 seconds. Soft tissue healing showed a mean score of 3.61 +/-3 with no patient discomfort. Conclusions: Chitosan sponge reduces intra-operative bleeding time, thus emerging as a novel hemostat.