Tamponade with Chitin-Coated Gauze Following Nasal Surgery

Abstract

Chitin is composed of poly-N-acetylglucosamine, derived mainly from crab shells. Gauze tampons are usually used after nasal operations, but then may be responsible for infection and for bleeding and pain upon extraction. Chitin coated gauze tampons were used after 61 nasal operations with a view to promoting wound healing and because of easy extractability. Good results were obtained with little pain or bleeding on extraction. Chitin coated gauze tampons were thus more effective than conventional gauze tampons. © 1995, The Society of Practical Otolaryngology. All rights reserved.