Aim: To compare the prevalence of post extraction bleeding and complications between Surgicel or Gelitaspon dressings in patients taking anticoagulants.

Method: Patients referred to the Oral and Maxillo-Facial department, the Royal Berkshire Hospital, between December 2008 and November 2011 who fulfilled the following criteria were included in the study: (1) patient on warfarin/aspirin/clopidogrel, or considered to be at a high risk of post operative bleeding (e.g. history of post-extraction bleeding), (2) required dental extractions under local anaesthetic. Patients were randomly assigned to have either a Surgicel or Gelaticel dressing post extraction, using otherwise identical techniques for haemostatic control. Two weeks post-operatively the patients were contacted by phone to determine the nature and frequency of any complications.

Results: 80 patients were included in total. 9 patients have been excluded due to incomplete data. Surgicel Gelitaspon Total patients 37 35 Simple XLA 32 32 Surgical XLA 5 3 Post op bleeding 5 7 Post op complication 4 0 There was no significant difference in post operative bleeding or complications ( p > 0.05) between the two groups.

Conclusion: There was no significant difference between the rate of post operative complications in Surgicel or Gelitaspon patients.