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).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.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.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.
