[The effect of vascular injuries on the healing of experimental gingival wounds]

Following experimental infliction of stab wounds, the blood circulation in mandibular gingiva attached to the labium was studied in 31 subjects with fluorescence angiography. Ischemic circulatory disturbances six hours after infliction of the wound and enlargement of the wound three days post operationem were all directed cranially. Blood flow in this area of the gingiva seems to have a strictly caudocranial orientation; the ability to develop collateral circulation is also limited. Ischemia was significantly increased in the stab wounds set axially over the roots of the incisors. Three and seven days later, the wound surface was considerably larger than that of papillar wounds inflicted at the same level. The attached gingiva appears to be more susceptible to injury over the roots of the lower incisors than in the neighboring papillary regions.