Application of polyglycolic acid sheet (Neoveil^®) and fibrin glue spray (Bolheal^®) for open wounds in oral surgery

Abstract

Neoveil^® is a biodegradable, mesh sheet composed of polyglycolic acid. It has been used for strengthening tissue defects or suturing together with fibrin glue in thoracic surgery and gastroenterological surgery, but its application to oral and maxillofacial surgery has not been reported. We used Neoveil^® and Bolheal^® for 94 patients (107 sites) who underwent oral and maxillofacial surgery, and the following results were obtained.
1. Neoveil^® and Bolheal^® were applied most frequently to the raw surface after resection of mobile mucosa such as the tongue or buccal mucosa, but were also applied to the bone surface after mandibulectomy or maxillectomy, raw surface for alveolar augmentation, rupture of the mucosa of the maxillary sinus during sinus lift, or sites susceptible to bleeding.
2. Neoveil^® remained in the wound for 3-4 weeks in most cases, and was useful for prevention of postoperative bleeding, relief from postoperative pain, and reduction of postoperative scar contracture.
3. Neoveil^® sometimes detached soon from the wound when oral feeding started immediately after the surgery, suggesting that tube feeding is necessary for at least 2 days postoperatively.