Introduction

Uncontrolled bleeding during dental procedures can compromise visibility, increase patient.

discomfort, prolong treatment time, and potentially lead to complications. Traditional methods like.

pressure, suturing, and the use of local hemostatic agents have limitations in certain clinical situations [1,2,3]. Bleeding, in the context of hemostasis, refers to the escape of blood from damaged blood vessels, a phenomenon that can be life-threatening if not properly controlled. To prevent uncontrolled bleeding, the human body employs a highly evolved coagulation system that rapidly forms blood clots, sealing the injured vessel and preventing the loss of blood. Coagulation, also known as blood clotting, is a tightly regulated process involving a cascade of biochemical reactions that ultimately lead to the formation of a stable, fibrin-rich clot at the site of injury.

This delicate equilibrium between bleeding and coagulation relies on an intricate interplay between vascular endothelial cells, platelets, and various coagulation factors found in the blood plasma. Dysregulation of this system can result in two major pathological conditions: hemorrhage, where blood fails to clot, and thrombosis, the unwanted formation of blood clots within intact blood vessels. Both conditions can have severe consequences for human health, leading to excessive bleeding or, conversely, to vascular occlusion and organ damage.

Hemostatic dressings have emerged as an alternative approach to achieving efficient hemostasis in dentistry, providing several advantages over conventional methods. Hemostatic dressings are materials designed to promote hemostasis by accelerating clot formation and preventing blood loss. They typically work through one or more of the following mechanisms:

  1. a.

    Absorption and swelling: Some dressings absorb blood and form a gel-like matrix, promoting platelet activation and aggregation.

  2. b.

    Hemostatic agents: Certain dressings contain active hemostatic agents like chitosan, kaolin, or oxidized cellulose, which facilitate clot formation.

  3. c.

    Adhesion and sealing: Dressings with adhesive properties can create a physical barrier over the wound, promoting clot stabilization and preventing further bleeding.

  4. d.

    Localized pressure: Some dressings, like sponge-based hemostats, apply pressure to the bleeding site, aiding in hemostasis.

Hemostatic dressings find diverse applications in various dental procedures. Extractions: Hemostatic dressings are utilized to control bleeding post-extraction, particularly in cases of patients on anticoagulant medications or with bleeding disorders. Periodontal procedures: Hemostatic dressings can aid in achieving hemostasis after scaling and root planing, periodontal surgery, or implant placement. Biopsy and oral surgery: Dressings are used to manage bleeding following soft tissue biopsies, frenectomies, or other oral surgical procedures [4,5,6,7,8]. Management of bleeding disorders: Hemostatic dressings offer an effective means of controlling bleeding in patients with clotting disorders or those undergoing dental procedures requiring anticoagulation therapy. In recent years, significant advancements have been made in hemostatic dressing technologies, leading to improved efficacy and ease of use [9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16]. These advancements include: (a) Nanotechnology-based dressings: Nanofabrication techniques have been employed to develop dressings with enhanced hemostatic properties, such as increased surface area for clotting and controlled release of hemostatic agents. (b) Biocompatible and biodegradable dressings: Researchers are focusing on developing dressings that are not only effective in achieving hemostasis but also biocompatible and biodegradable, reducing the risk of adverse reactions and promoting tissue healing. (c) Combination therapies: Hemostatic dressings are being combined with other therapeutic agents, such as growth factors or antimicrobial agents, to provide additional benefits and enhance treatment outcomes [17,18,19]. Straight chain cationic polysaccharide chitosan (deacetylated polysaccharide) is a naturally occurring or synthesized cationic copolymer made of 2-amino-2-deoxyglucose (60–100%) and 2-acetylamino-2-deoxyglucose-D-glucoside (0–50%). Although some fungi also contain chitin, it is mostly found in the exoskeletons of crustaceans. Rouget discovered chitosan in 1859 by treating chitin with a hot potassium hydroxide solution, which also established the framework for contemporary chitosan manufacture. After oral extraction treatments, chitosan works well as a wound dressing. After extractions on patients taking antithrombotic drugs continuously, a study evaluated the efficacy of chitosan-based dressings [20,21,22,23,24,25]. In extraction sites with chitosan dressing, the results showed no instances of dry sockets or pus discharge [26,27,28,29,30,31]. Chitosan dressing, a hemostatic agent, can dramatically lessen post-extraction bleeding and improve pain management in individuals taking continuous oral antithrombotic medicine. Due to its extended storage life, wide range of storage temperatures, and portability, powder hemostatic compounds have gained popularity in recent years. The purpose of this review with meta-analysis is to evaluate the possible use of HDD in the control of post-dental extraction bleeding in patients on antiplatelet-anticoagulant treatment.

Materials and methods

Eligibility criteria

We applied the following Population, Exposure, Comparator, and Outcomes (PICO) model [32] to assess the document eligibility:

  1. P)

    Participants consisted of the population.

  1. I)

    The Exposure consisted of patients who needed dental extractions and take anticoagulant or antiaggregant.

  1. C)

    The comparison is made between patients treated with chitosan for hemorrhage control and patients treated with compression alone.

  2. O)

    The outcome is to evaluate the possible impact of chitosan as a hemostatic agent in oral surgery.

Only studies providing data about the prevalence in both groups were included. We set the following exclusion criteria: (1) Patients with more than 3 missing teeth; (2) cognitive or intellectual disabilities (3) patients with cognitive and intellectual problems; (4) patients with partial removable dentures; (5) cross-over study design; (6) language different from English; (7) full- text unavailability (i.e., posters and conference abstracts); (8) studies involving animals; (9) review (topical or systematic) article; (10) case reports/series.

Search strategy

We searched PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus for articles published from the inception until May 1, 2023. Table 1 is reported the search strategy used to search documents in the search engines.

Table 1 Search strategy
Full size table

We also manually searched published systematic and topical reviews on similar topics.

We conducted this systematic review following the guidance of the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA) guidelines 2020. The systematic review protocol has been registered on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) with CRD42022327470.

Data extraction

The data were extracted manually, reviewing each source and selecting relevant information. Extracted data were reported on a Microsoft Excel sheet and were evaluated independently by two reviewers (MC and RF). In disagreement, a consensus was reached through a third reviewer (MDA). The following data were extracted: (1) First author; (2) Year of publication; (3) Nationality; (4) Type of study; (5) Number of participants; (6) Type of drugs; (7) Bleeding time between two groups; (8) Significance of the study.

Quality assessment

The Version 2 of the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials (RoB 2) were used by two reviewers (MC and GM) to assess the risk of bias in the included studies. The Cochrane RoB 2 tool is a well-established tool for evaluating the quality of randomized trials. It considers six domains of potential bias: random sequence generation, allocation concealment, blinding of participants and personnel, blinding of outcome assessment, incomplete outcome data, and selective reporting. Any disagreement was discussed until a consensus was reached with a third reviewer (MDB).

Grade of strenght

We applied the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) ranking system to measure the quality of evidence and also to determine the level of certainty for the results of this review.

Statistical analysis

The software Review Manager version 5.2.8 (Cochrane Collaboration, Copenhagen, Denmark; 2014) was used to perform the pooled analysis. We measured the risk ratio (RR) on the ‘occurrence of complications between the two groups (HDD vs Compressive) treated with extractions. The Higgins Index (I2) and the chi-square test were implemented to assess Heterogeneity among studies. We classified heterogeneity as follows: low heterogeneity (< 30%), medium heterogeneity (30–60%), and high heterogeneity (> 60%).

Results

Study characteristics

Three studies were included in the systematic review and were considered for the metanalysis, as illustrated in the PRISMA 2020 flowchart in Fig. 1. 164 articles were selected because of the search. Seventy papers were excluded before the screening: 41 articles were not in English, and 39 were reviewed. The remaining 94 articles were selected for the title and abstract screening to evaluate whether they met the PECO criteria. 17 records were duplicates and, therefore, were excluded. Seventy-seven articles were assessed for eligibility. Among these, two were not retrieved, 25 were excluded because don’t respond to the PECO questions because they assessed bleeding not in dental extractions. The included studies have been published between 2012 and 2023. The seven included studies were retrospective cohort studies in design or randomized clinical trials. All these studies compare bleeding time in patients taking anticoagulants/antiplathelet evaluating bleeding times. The data extracted from each study, as reported in the paragraph “data extraction,” were written in Table 2.

Fig. 1
figure 1

Prisma flowchart; From: Page MJ, McKenzie JE, Bossuyt PM, Boutron I, Hoffmann TC, Mulrow CD, et al. The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ 2021;372:n71. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71

For more information, visit: http://www.prisma-statement.org/

Full size image
Table 2 Principal elements of the studies which formed part of the present systematic analysis;
Full size table
Table 3 The grade summary of evidence
Full size table

Main findings

Pippi’s study evaluated the efficacy of HemCon® Dental Dressing (HDD, Zimmer Holdings; HemCon Medical Technologies, Inc.,Beaverton, OR), a kiosan bse component used by the armed forces during the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. The study was performed at Umberto I Hospital and evaluated patients on antiplatelet therapy. Twenty patients were enrolled who were given two extractions at opposite sites. Product was applied at the study site while a collagen sponge was inserted at the control site. Patients were monitored for one hour and the bleeding time was set after 30 s that stopped. The mean bleeding time (T2) in the control group (282.15 ± 235.89s; range 66-723s) was significantly lower than in the test group (455.40 ± 418.33s; range 57-2216s); this difference is statistically significant (p = 0.0278) [33].

Malmquist’s study evaluated the effects of HemCon dental dressing as an antihemorrhagic following dental surgery. Patients were selected with the following inclusion criteria: taking oral antiplatelets; need for at least two dental extractions. Seventy-four sites treated with HemCon and 52 control were evaluated. After that, the examiner assessed bleeding times. All 74 HDD study sites, including 9 patients taking OAT, achieved hemostasis in less than 1 min while the control site showed a bleeding time of 9.53 min [34].

Kumar’s study evaluated the ability of Hemcon dental dressing for hemostasis on post-extractive dental alveoli.The study was structured as a double split mouth. Inclusion criteria were presence of at least two dental elements to be extracted; taking oral anticoagulants. Therefore, Hemcon was applied at the study site and compressive gauze was applied at the control site. There were 33 patients recruited of which 33 in 33 sites were study and 33 were control. The recruited patients did not discontinue their anticoagulant and had their INR below 4. Using HDD took less time to reach hemostasis than using a pressure pack did. For the control site, hemostasis took an average of 4.06 min to achieve. Hemostasis at HDD sites was shown to be statistically significant [35].

Sharma’s study evaluated the efficacy of chitosan as a hemostatic agent in a group of patients on antiplatelet therapy. The study was designed as a double blind a splith mouth. Forty patients on antiplatelet therapy for various cardiological reasons were recruited. Therefore, 80 extractions were performed and chitosan was applied at the study site, and compression was performed in the control group. The mean time for hemostasis at the study site was 1.13 s while in the control group it was 14 min, thus a statistically significant result [36].

Kale’s study evaluated the efficacy of chitosan as a hemostatic agent in a group of patients on antiplatelet therapy. The study was designed as a double blind a splith mouth. Forty patients on antiplatelet therapy for various cardiological reasons were recruited. Therefore, 80 extractions were performed and chitosan was applied at the study site, and compression was performed in the control group. The mean time for hemostasis at the study site was 53 s while in the control group it was 918 s, thus a statistically significant result [37].

Radhakrishna’s study evaluated the efficacy of chitosan as a hemostatic agent in a group of patients on antiplatelet therapy, in this case both single and double. The study was designed as a double blind a splith mouth. In addition to assessing bleeding time, site healing was evaluated. Fifty-four patients on antiplatelet therapy for various cardiologic reasons were recruited. Therefore, 108 extractions were performed and chitosan was applied at the study site and compression was performed in the control group. The mean time to hemostasis at the study site was 90 s while in the control group it was 109 s, thus a statistically significant result [38].

Sarkar’s study evaluated the efficacy of chitosan as a hemostatic agent in a group of patients on antiplatelet therapy, in this case both single and double. The study was designed as a double blind a splith mouth. In addition to assessing bleeding time, site healing was evaluated. Sixty patients on antiplatelet therapy for various cardiologic reasons were recruited. Therefore, 30 extractions were performed and chitosan was applied at the study site and PRF was applied in the control group for hemostatic purposes. The mean time to hemostasis at the study site was 70 s while in the control group it was 158 s, thus a statistically significant result [39].

Meta-analysis

The included studies had a high heterogeneity (I2 = 99%). Therefore the meta-analysis was conducted by random model effect and continuous otucomes. We consider bleeding time as a variable and standard deviation and compare it between sites that received HDD and surgical sites controlled with simple compression. Kumar’s study is the only one that recruited patients treated with anticoagulants.

The overall effect, reported in the forest plot (Fig. 2), showed a substantial and statistically significant difference with bleeding time in favour of HDD-treated patients, showing that this garrison is very useful in controlling bleeding for patients taking anticoagulants and antiplatelets (Mean difference − 3.22; C.I. -3.53, − 2.90). The GRADE analysis showed a high degree of evidence for the results of the meta-analysis (Table 3).

Fig. 2
figure 2

Forest plot of the meta-analysis

Full size image

Quality assessment and risk of bias

The risk of bias in the included studies was reported in Fig. 3. Regarding the randomization process and allocation concealment, 25% had a low risk of bias. All studies excluded a performance; two study ensured an increased risk of detection bias (self-reported outcomes), and 2 of the included studies present low detection bias (Fig. 3). GRADE Table 3 shows a high level of evidence. This, however despite the heterogeneity of the studies, the results of the meta-analysis are evident and therefore leave no doubt about the evidence that HDD can be an aid to hemostasis.

Fig. 3
figure 3

Risk-of-bias domains of included studies

Full size image

Discussion

The continuous advancements in hemostatic dressing technologies hold great promise for the future of dentistry [40,41,42]. Further research and development are required to optimize the properties and performance of hemostatic dressings in dental applications. Some potential future directions include:

  1. a)

    Customized formulations: Tailoring hemostatic dressings to meet specific dental needs, such as varying tissue types, oral environment conditions, and bleeding profiles, can enhance their efficacy and versatility.

  2. b)

    Controlled release systems: Incorporating controlled release mechanisms within dressings can enable the sustained delivery of therapeutic agents, such as antiseptics or growth factors, to enhance wound healing and reduce the risk of postoperative complications.

  3. c)

    Bioactive dressings: Integration of bioactive components, such as peptides or growth factors, into hemostatic dressings can promote tissue regeneration, reduce inflammation, and expedite the healing process in dental wounds.

  4. d)

    Enhanced tissue integration: Improving the interaction between dressings and the surrounding tissues can facilitate better wound healing and minimize the risk of dislodgement or infection. Strategies such as surface modifications or bioadhesive properties can enhance tissue adhesion and integration.

  5. e)

    Clinical guidelines and protocols: Developing standardized guidelines and protocols for the use of hemostatic dressings in dental procedures can promote consistent and optimal utilization, ensuring patient safety and predictable outcomes.

  6. f)

    Cost-effectiveness analysis: Conducting cost-effectiveness studies to evaluate the economic impact of incorporating hemostatic dressings into dental practice can provide valuable insights for healthcare providers and policymakers, facilitating informed decision-making.

Hemostatic dressings have revolutionized the management of bleeding in dentistry, offering effective and convenient solutions in various clinical scenarios. Through their diverse mechanisms of action and applications, these dressings have improved treatment outcomes, patient comfort, and procedure efficiency. Advancements in hemostatic dressing technologies, such as nanotechnology-based formulations and combination therapies, hold great promise for the future of dentistry. Continued research and development efforts are crucial to optimizing the properties, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness of these dressings, further improving their clinical utility and patient outcomes in the dental field. Acknowledging the importance of evidence-based practice, further research is needed to establish the clinical effectiveness of hemostatic dressings in different dental procedures. Rigorous clinical trials comparing hemostatic dressings with conventional methods and evaluating their long-term outcomes, patient satisfaction, and potential complications will contribute to the growing body of evidence.

Moreover, educating dental professionals on the appropriate selection and utilization of hemostatic dressings is essential. Training programs and continuing education courses can enhance dentists’ understanding of the available dressing options, their indications, and proper application techniques. This will ensure the optimal use of hemostatic dressings and promote their integration into routine dental practice [10]. The hydrophilic polysaccharide chitosan has a multitude of uses in biodental due to its antibacterial, immunostimulatory, hemostatic, and wound-healing characteristics [43]. Chitosan is used in pediatric dentistry to stop cariogenic germs from adhering to the mucosa. Because of its antibacterial and antiplaque properties, it is used in conjunction with mouthwash and chewing gum. Chitosan is used in endodontics to promote hemostasis for pulpotomy and is combined with glass ionomer cement for regenerative endodontics and dental bonding systems.

Chitosan that has been freeze-dried and then molded into a highly electropositive sponge-like substance is used to create HemCon [44, 45]. Due to its ability to connect with red blood cells, this charge makes it easier for blood clots to develop. Red blood cells, which are negatively charged, connect to the electropositive Hem-Con Bandage material, creating a very viscous clot that forms quickly and produces hemostasis by sealing the wound site. Shen et al. [46] demonstrated that exposure to chitosan enhanced the release of growth factor from human platelets, which could assist to explain our encouraging results. According to Cunha-Reis et al.‘s [47]findings, the HDD material utilized in this investigation exhibits cell adhesion. Comparing the HDD-treated sites to the control sites, the HDD-treated sites saw better postoperative healing with fewer problems. This could be linked to chitosan’s antibacterial characteristics, which have been studied in vitro experiments. The findings showed that chitosan made the inner and outer membranes more permeable and, in the end, broke down the bacterial cell membranes, allowing their contents to escape. Thus, HDD acts as an antibacterial barrier against a variety of Gram positive and Gram negative microorganisms, such as Acinetobacter baumannii, vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE), and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).Azargoon et al. discovered that HDD is just as effective as ferric sulfate in promoting haemostasis and wound healing in an animal research [48,49,50,51,52,53].

The electrostatic attraction of RBC to the HemCon substance is what makes HDD self-adhesive .

In conclusion, hemostatic dressings have transformed the field of dentistry by providing effective and convenient solutions for managing bleeding during various dental procedures. Their diverse mechanisms of action and applications make them invaluable tools in achieving hemostasis, particularly in challenging clinical scenarios. With ongoing advancements in technology and increasing research focus, hemostatic dressings hold great promise for further improving patient care, enhancing treatment outcomes, and advancing the field of dentistry [54,55,56,57].

In conclusion, hemostatic dressings have emerged as a significant advancement in the field of dentistry, offering efficient and convenient solutions for achieving hemostasis during various dental procedures. Traditional methods have limitations in terms of efficacy and ease of use, making hemostatic dressings a valuable addition to dental practice. Their mechanisms of action, including absorption and swelling, hemostatic agents, adhesion and sealing, and localized pressure, provide effective means of controlling bleeding.

Hemostatic dressings find diverse applications in dentistry, ranging from extractions and periodontal procedures to biopsy and oral surgery. They are particularly useful in cases involving patients on anticoagulant medications or with bleeding disorders, where achieving hemostasis is challenging. Hemostatic dressings not only promote clot formation but also provide additional benefits such as improved tissue integration and controlled release of therapeutic agents [58,59,60,61].

Recent advancements in hemostatic dressing technologies, such as nanotechnology-based formulations and combination therapies, hold promise for further improving their efficacy and versatility. Customized formulations, controlled release systems, and bioactive dressings are among the potential future directions that can enhance the performance of hemostatic dressings in dental applications [62, 63] .

To fully realize the potential of hemostatic dressings, ongoing research efforts, clinical trials, and the establishment of standardized guidelines are necessary. Further studies should focus on evaluating the clinical effectiveness, long-term outcomes, patient satisfaction, and potential complications associated with hemostatic dressings in different dental procedures.

Education and training programs for dental professionals are crucial to ensure their proper selection and utilization of hemostatic dressings. By increasing awareness and understanding of available options, indications, and application techniques, dentists can maximize the benefits of hemostatic dressings and integrate them seamlessly into routine dental practice [64,65,66].

In summary, hemostatic dressings have revolutionized the management of bleeding in dentistry, offering effective solutions and improving treatment outcomes. With ongoing advancements in technology and increased research focus, hemostatic dressings hold immense potential to further enhance patient care, optimize treatment outcomes, and shape the future of dentistry.

Sarkar’s study unlike the other studies, uses PRF as the control group and this could be a confounding factor. However, other studies, considered for the meta-analysis, also failed to analyze and differentiate patients on single or dual antiplatelet. Another factor that could alter the results. The result of our meta-analysis, despite the heterogeneity of the studies, is in favor of an antihemorrhagic effect of chitosan compared with both PRF and compression gauze.

Conclusions

In conclusion, hemostatic dressings have emerged as valuable adjuncts in dentistry, offering effective and efficient control of bleeding during various dental procedures. The different types of hemostatic dressings, including oxidized cellulose, gelatin-based, chitosan, and calcium-based dressings, provide localized hemostasis, reduce chair time, and improve patient outcomes.

The versatility of hemostatic dressings allows their application in a wide range of dental scenarios, including tooth extractions, periodontal surgery, implant placement, and biopsies. They are particularly beneficial for patients with bleeding disorders or those taking anticoagulant medications, as they provide a localized hemostatic effect while minimizing systemic risks.

The benefits of using hemostatic dressings in dentistry include enhanced visibility and control for the clinician, reduced chair time, and a decreased risk of postoperative complications such as bleeding and hematoma formation. By facilitating faster clot formation and promoting uneventful wound healing, hemostatic dressings contribute to improved patient comfort and satisfaction.

It is important for dental professionals to stay updated with the latest advancements in hemostatic dressings and understand their appropriate application techniques. Further research and clinical studies are warranted to explore the long-term efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and potential complications associated with different types of hemostatic dressings in dentistry.

Overall, hemostatic dressings have revolutionized the management of bleeding in dentistry, offering a promising solution to achieve optimal hemostasis, improve treatment outcomes, and enhance patient care.