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Updated: Jun 22, 2025
A Novel Approach to Monitoring Graft Neovascularization in the Human Gingiva
Published on: January 12, 2019
Harvest of epithelialized gingival grafts without application of hemostatic sutures: A randomized clinical trial
David Palombo1, Andrea Dobos1,2, Mercedes Lopez Duran1
1Section of Periodontology, Faculty of Odontology, University Complutense of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
Background:
This randomized controlled trial with two parallel arms and a 1:1 allocation ratio aimed to compare early microvascular healing (primary outcome), surgical times, and patient-reported outcomes (PROM) after harvesting palatal epithelialized gingival grafts (EGG), where hemostasis was achieved with sutures and hemostatic sponges (control) or with a sutureless approach (test).
Methods:
From a total of 33 patients, 34 EGG were harvested. Thirty-two were randomized to the test/control group (n = 16) and two were excluded. Early palatal microvascular healing was assessed at 7, 14, and 30 days with laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI). Postoperative bleeding, pain, discomfort, and analgesic consumption were assessed over 2 weeks with a dedicated questionnaire.
Results:
A faster onset and resolution of postharvest hyperemia was observed in the test group where peak blood flow was reached at 7 days. No significant blood flow differences were observed between the groups at any of the evaluated timepoints. The mean surgical time was 13 min shorter in the test (p = 0.00). No significant differences were observed for postoperative bleeding and analgesic consumption at any timepoint.
Conclusions:
The tested approach represents a viable alternative to the standard one, providing no relevant differences in microvascular, clinical, and patient-related results, but with significantly shorter surgical times.
