SYMPTOMATIC FOREIGN-BODY REACTION TO HEMOSTATIC ALGINATE

Kaltostat, a haemostatic wound dressing made from non-woven sodium cal cium alginate fibres is becoming more frequently and widely used by pr actitioners. We report a florid foreign body giant cell reaction elici ted by Kaltostat which had been used to obtain haemostasis in an apice ctomy cavity on an upper lateral incisor approximately 7 months earlie r. The case demonstrates that alginate fibres left in situ may elicit a long-lasting and symptomatic adverse foreign body reaction. This mat erial should be reserved for problematic haemorrhage and be removed fr om the tooth socket soon after haemostasis.