Evaluation of Colloidal Silver Gelatin Sponge (Gelatamp) in Patients Receiving Anticoagulant After Tooth Extraction (Clinical Study)

Introduction: Patients with a history of heart attack or stroke may take anticoagulant. Because these are anticoagulant medications, bleeding time after dental treatments, may be prolonged. Gelatamp is made of 95% foam gelatin sponge and 5% finely dispersed colloidal silver. Gelatamp has the great advantages of both haemostatic and bactericidal effect. Objectives: To evaluate clinically the use of Gelatamp to avoid postoperative dry socket and bleeding in patients receiving anticoagulant therapy without altering the medication dosage. Materials and methods: This study was conducted on fifty patients indicated for teeth extraction divided into two equal groups. Study group consisting of 25 patients who received their medicine as usual and extraction was done followed by insertion of gelatamp in the socket and supported with heavy pack. Control group consisting of 25 patients who stopped their medicine until INR reached 1.6 and Prothrombin activity more than 60% after that extraction was done and the socket was supported with heavy pack. The patients were monitored for 24 hours in both groups. Results: Adequate socket healing was detected in all patients of both groups. Conclusion: Gelatamp is an effective material as local hemostatic agent after extraction for anticoagulant patients (within the therapeutic range of INR) without interruption of their medicine.