Hemostatic Agents in Endodontic Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study of Polytetrafluoroethylene Strips as an Adjunct to Epinephrine Impregnated Gauze Versus Aluminum Chloride

Abstract

IntroductionBleeding control is an important aspect in endodontic surgery. Two hemostatic techniques were compared with regard to their efficacy to bleeding control in endodontic surgery. MethodsA randomized, 2-arm, parallel pilot study involving 30 patients with periradicular lesions was performed including the following hemostatic agents: polytetrafluoroethylene strips as an adjunct to epinephrine-impregnated gauze (test group, n = 15) and aluminum chloride (control, n = 15). Bleeding control was independently assessed by the surgeon and 2 blinded observers before and after application of the hemostatic agent. Bleeding control was classified either as adequate (complete bleeding control) or inadequate (incomplete bleeding control). ResultsHemostasis in both groups proved similar. Simple binary logistic regression analysis failed to identify variables affecting bleeding control. Only the height of the keratinized mucosa band (≥2 mm) suggested a risk reduction for an inadequate bleeding control up to 79% (odds ratio = 0.21, P > .05). ConclusionsNo differences in the efficacy of bleeding control were observed between polytetrafluoroethylene strips as an adjunct to epinephrine-impregnated gauze and aluminum chloride.