[Comparative clinical and exfoliative cytological studies on the use of occlusive dressings]

Among the variety of surgical packs described in the literature, zinc oxide-based packs have proved especially useful. Two types still currently used are the zinc oxide-eugenol pack according to Büchs and Walter and the pack modified by Behlke which contains Peruvian balsam in place of eugenol. Of 27 patients who had undergone a periodontal-surgical intervention, 6 were treated with a zinc oxide-eugenol pack, and 21 with a pack modified by Behlke. Clinical and cytological examinations were performed before intervention, at each change of pack (on the 5th, 8th and 14th days after intervention) and 4 weeks after intervention. The comparison of the results obtained shows the superiority of the pack modified by Behlke over the zinc oxide-eugenol pack.