Fluorescein angiography of free gingival autografts

The capillary blood circulation of free gingival autografts during healing was studied by means of 45 fluorescein angiographs taken over a postoperative period of 14 days in 10 female patients, 21 to 36 years old. The surgical technique commonly used for transplanting gingiva was slightly modified in that no surgical dressings and, in 3 cases, not even sutures were employed to immobilize the grafts. During the first 3 postoperative days, fluorescent plasmatic diffusion of increasing intensity was observed. In one case, fluorescing capillary circulation was detected as early as 24 hours after surgery, fluorescent capillaries became evident in all graft sites and increased steadily in number. Between 9 and 14 days after surgery, an even capillary loop pattern was established.