Assessment of Palatal Mucosal Wound Healing Following Connective-Tissue Harvesting by Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging: An Observational Case Series Study

Int J Periodontics Restorative Dent. 2019 Mar/Apr;39(2):e64-e70. doi: 10.11607/prd.3878.

Abstract

Postoperative complications may occur during the healing of palatal donor sites due to disturbed blood circulation of palatal tissues. Therefore in this study, blood flow was measured by Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging (LSCI) in seven patients after connective-tissue harvesting. The slope in blood-flow elevation within the first 3 days as well as time needed for maximum reperfusion were calculated. Each surgical site was assessed by clinical examination on day 3. In donor sites with secondary-intention wound healing, postoperative blood flow was elevated with significant delay compared to the surrounding tissues and to the primarily healed wound. Reperfusion time and healing score were strongly correlated (r = 0.87, P < .001), as were the slope and clinical rank (r = -0.85, P < .001). LSCI proved to be an objective method to assess individual wound-healing time and to predict the quality of wound healing.

Publication types

  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Connective Tissue / blood supply
  • Connective Tissue / diagnostic imaging
  • Connective Tissue / surgery*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional
  • Lasers
  • Male
  • Microcirculation
  • Middle Aged
  • Mouth Mucosa / blood supply
  • Mouth Mucosa / diagnostic imaging
  • Mouth Mucosa / surgery*
  • Palate / blood supply
  • Palate / diagnostic imaging
  • Palate / surgery*
  • Tissue and Organ Harvesting / adverse effects
  • Tissue and Organ Harvesting / methods*
  • Wound Healing*
  • Young Adult