Absorbable Hemostatic Pack Effect After Primary Incisor Extraction: A Pilot Study and Introduction of a Novel Scale to Assess Post-Operative Bleeding

Abstract

Objectives: This pilot study compared hemostatic pack (HP) application with no intervention following extraction of maxillary primary incisors in healthy children for effect on bleeding time and influence of patient or tooth variables utilizing a novel scale for assessment of bleeding following extraction. Study Design: A novel scale was created to assess bleeding after extraction. This scale was utilized in a randomized, split mouth study of healthy children ages 2–7 years old requiring extraction of at least 2 primary maxillary incisors under general anesthesia. One extraction site was randomly assigned to receive HP and the other had no hemostatic measures. Post-operative bleeding was rated at 2, 10, and 15 minutes post-extraction. Other variables recorded included age, sex, periapical radiolucency, presence of fistula, swelling, discoloration, intraoral stabilization device used, and vital signs at two time intervals. Pre-operative radiographs were reviewed for root resorption and periapical radiolucency. Results and Conclusions: Twenty-five patients provided 50 teeth. Hemostatic pack had a significant effect on reducing bleeding at each time point and that effect did not change over time. Age, sex, tooth pain, post-extraction heart rate, blood pressure, discoloration, amount of resorption, and presence of a periapical radiolucency had no significant effect on bleeding. The proposed bleeding scale had good intra-rater reliability and could be useful in future studies, once validated.