Sir, although Coe-Pak is primarily a periodontal dressing, I wanted to share with your readers a use that I have found for the material in haemostasis. It is useful in patients who suffer from post-extraction bleeding due to contributing factors (eg anticoagulants), bleeding disorders and those who are not responding to local haemostatic measures; eg pressure, packing, suturing, transexaemic acid, being shown to protect the clot from forces applied during speaking, drinking or chewing.1

It consists of two pastes: a base and a catalyst, which are mixed in equal portions until a thick and uniform consistency is achieved.2 Warm water can also be used to alter the setting time. This can then be easily manipulated and moulded with gloves lubricated with water and petroleum. Pencil-sized rolls are then shaped which can be placed over the bleeding socket, while interlocking this with the interproximal areas to reduce the risk of swallowing. When haemostasis is achieved, this can be easily removed in a few days.

I hope that this may be a useful tip to other oral and maxillofacial colleagues when faced with a similar situation with patients who present in the Emergency Department.