OTOLARYNGOLOGIC USES OF SOLUBLE GAUZE (OXIDIZED CELLULOSE)

Abstract

IT HAS long been felt that a nonirritating hemostatic absorbable gauze would be most useful in many otolaryngologic procedures and preferable in most instances to fibrin foam or gelatin sponge. The favorable reports of Frantz and her co-workers¹stimulated us to investigate the uses of soluble gauze in the field of otolaryngology, and through the cooperation of Dr. John Henderson we have been furnished with generous amounts from Johnson and Johnson during the past nine months for clinical trial.

PREPARATION OF SOLUBLE GAUZE

Oxidized cellulose gauze ("hemo-pak") is a cotton mesh gauze which has been oxidized by being subjected to nitrogen dioxide. It is furnished for our use in strips ½ inch by 2½ yards (about 1 by 228.5 cm.), folded four ply, and prepared from 24 by 20 mesh gauze. It comes in sterile containers, and is used dry. Oxidized cellulose gauze is neither gauze nor cotton but an