Hemostatic agents in endodontic surgery of maxillary molars: A randomized controlled pilot study of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) strips as an adjunct to epinephrine impregnated gauze versus aluminum chloride

BACKGROUND: Hemostasis is of critical importance in endodontic surgery. Studies on bleeding control in maxillary molars are scarce. The present study compares the efficacy of two hemostatic techniques in controlling bleeding in endodontic surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A randomized two-arm pilot study involving 30 patients with peri-radicular lesions in maxillary molars (first and second molars) was carried out including the following hemostatic agents: polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) strips as an adjunct to epinephrine impregnated gauze (test group; n = 15) and aluminum chloride (Expasyl™) (control; n = 15). Bleeding control was independently assessed by the surgeon and by two blinded observers before and after application of the hemostatic agent, and was classified as either adequate (complete bleeding control) or inadequate (incomplete bleeding control). RESULTS: Bleeding control was similar in both groups. Simple binary logistic regression analysis failed to identify variables affecting bleeding control. Only the height of the keratinized mucosal band (≥ 2 mm) suggested a decreased risk of inadequate bleeding control of up to 89% (OR=0.11; p=0.06). CONCLUSIONS: No difference in the efficacy of bleeding control was observed between PTFE strips as an adjunct to epinephrine impregnated gauze and aluminum chloride in maxillary molars. Key words:PTFE-strips, aluminum chloride, endodontic surgery, epinephrine, hemostasis, hemostatic agent, molars.