Split thickness skin graft for vestibuloplasty operations

Area of Science:

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Plastic Surgery
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Atrophic mandibles can lead to reduced oral sulcus depth, impacting denture stability and function.
• Vestibuloplasty is a surgical procedure to deepen the oral vestibule, often requiring grafting techniques.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and stability of split-thickness skin grafts (STSGs) in vestibuloplasty for patients with atrophic mandibles.
• To assess patient acceptance and potential complications associated with using STSGs in the oral cavity.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 89 patients with atrophic mandibles underwent vestibuloplasty using STSGs.
• Patients were followed up over a 3-year period, with measurements taken to assess sulcus depth and graft stability.
• Clinical evaluation included assessment of graft adherence, shrinkage, and patient-reported outcomes regarding color, consistency, and odor.

Main Results:

• The vestibuloplasty procedure using STSGs demonstrated stable operational results over the 3-year follow-up period.
• Grafts successfully attached to the periosteum, maintaining new sulcus depth and preventing relapse.
• Minimal initial shrinkage was observed, attributed to scar formation, with no adverse effects like hair growth or odor reported. Patients accepted the graft's appearance and feel.

Conclusions:

• Split-thickness skin grafts are a stable and effective method for vestibuloplasty in patients with atrophic mandibles.
• This technique successfully restores and maintains oral sulcus depth, improving function and patient satisfaction.
• STSGs in the oral cavity are well-tolerated, with a low complication rate and good aesthetic and functional outcomes.