Rebuilding of microvascularization following surgical gingival elimination by split flap. Study by perfusion and...

1. Intra-arterial vital perfusion was used in dogs to study the rebuilding of the large amount of gingiva and its vascularization, which were removed surgically by split flaps. 2. Visualization of the reconstruction of the microvascularization could be observed through thick (400 mu) sections cleared in methyl salicylate. 3. The periosteal vessels and the vascular plexi of the dentogingival junction were the only vessels remaining after the surgery, and served as progenitors for the rebuilding of the vascularization of the new soft tissue complex. 4. After 48 hours the cut vessels were closed and new capillaries were beginning to form. An intense superficial vascularization was connected by multiple vessels to the periosteal vasculature (4 days), showing the largest number of superficial blood vessels after 7 days, when the area was primarily re-epithelialized.