Evaluation of the clinical behaviour of a polyvinylpyrrolidone and sodium hyalonurate gel (Gelclair®) in patients subjected to surgical treatment with CO2 laser

This experimental study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of Gelclair®, a concentrated oral gel consisting of sodium hyalonurate and polyvinylpyrrolidone, in decreasing postoperative pain in patients subjected to surgical treatment by extirpation and/or vapourization of oral lesions with CO2 laser. After the surgery, 60 consecutive patients (30 in control group and 30 in experimental group) were prescribed 600 mg ibuprofen 3 times per day for 4 days. In the experimental group a protocol was established for the application of 15 ml of Gelclair® directly onto the wound 3 times per day, 1 h before meals, for 1 week. Spontaneous pain and pain on swallowing were evaluated using a visual analogue scale at 24 h and 7 days after the intervention. The experimental group had less spontaneous pain at 24 h (P = 0.000) and at 1 week (P = 0.012), and also less pain on swallowing at 24 h and 1 week (P = 0.029 and P = 0.000, respectively) after the intervention. In conclusion, the effectiveness of the barrier mechanism that Gelclair® provides improves the postoperative experience of patients who have undergone oral CO2 laser surgery.