Palatal pre-suturing for peri-operative haemostasis at free gingival graft donor sites - A randomized controlled clinical trial.

Abstract

BACKGROUND\nThe palatal suture has been well known in literature as a method for palatal hemostasis but has not been validated for its efficacy. The aim of this parallel arm randomized controlled clinical trial was to evaluate the efficacy of palatal pre-suturing using the greater palatine compression suture (GPCS) in reducing the peri-operative haemorrhage associated with the palatal free gingival graft (FGG) procedure.\n\n\nMETHODS\nTwenty four patients requiring the FGG procedure for recession coverage or augmentation of keratinized tissue were recruited in the study and randomized in to the GPCS group and the control group. The GPCS was placed using a previously described protocol by a single operator in all the participants in the GPCS group. Peri-operative blood loss was estimated by weighing the gauze used to mop the palatal haemorrhage, before and after the procedure. The time required for the surgery was also recorded by an independent observer.\n\n\nRESULTS\nSignificantly lesser blood loss was observed in the GPCS group (4.33±0.89 g) as compared to the control group (8.91±4.16 g). The difference in the time taken for the surgical procedure for the GPCS group (73.25±22.35 minutes) was not significantly different from that required for the control group (76.08±14.47 minutes).\n\n\nCONCLUSION\nThis study demonstrates that pre-suturing of the palate using the GPCS is an effective technique to reduce the peri-operative blood loss associated with the palatal FGG procedure. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.