European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

EVALUATION OF COLLAGEN IN HEALING OF MUCOSAL DEFECTS AFTER VESTIBULOPLASTY: A CLINICAL STUDY

Dr. Sami Faisal Jamdar* and Dr Asna Fatima Jamdar

ABSTRACT

Background and objectives: Grafts are used in vestibuloplasty to avoid relapse due to secondary wound contracture as seen with secondary epithelization technique. Conventional methods like free mucosal grafts and split thickness grafts require the creation of second surgical wounds for use as donor site. Collagen is a biological skin substitute, i.e. natural, easily available, ready to use, has excellent tissue compatibility, non-immunogenic, and non-pyrogenic. Commercially available collagen sheets are used in the treatment of burns, ulcers, diabetic ulcers, bed sores etc as a biological dressing material. The main aim of the study was to evaluate clinically the efficacy of collagen sheet as replacement in the vestibular extension instead of mucosal or skin grafts. Methodology: 15 edentulous patients requiring vestibular extension procedure were included in this study. Clark’s secondary epithelization vestibuloplasty technique was followed in our study and the exposed periosteum was covered by collagen sheet and stabilized by surgical splint. Postoperative evaluation (after 24, 48 and 72 hours followed by 1st, 2nd and 3rd week) included efficacy of collagen as a temporary biological dressing material, promotion of wound re-epithelization, prevention of wound contracture and reduction of pain and swelling. Results: The post-operative course of all 15 patients was uneventfull. By the end of first week post-operatively, lysis of collagen sheet was evident with underlying hyperemic tissue. Healthy granulation tissue covered the entire surgical wound by the end of 2nd week and epithelization was complete by 3rd week. All patients had good hemostasis and marginal wound contraction. Most of the patients complained of only mild pain. The post-operative swelling was significant in all patients. Conclusion: Collagen sheet might be used as a potential graft material for vestibuloplasty.

Keywords: Collagen sheet; collagen membrane; graft; artificial dermis; vestibuloplasty.