Palatal pre‐suturing effects on hemostasis and morbidity in connective tissue grafting: A randomized controlled trial

Gingival recession is characterized by the apical displacement of the gingival margin, leading to root surface exposure and potential functional and esthetic concerns. Gingival graft surgery is a commonly performed procedure in which autogenous connective tissue is harvested from the palate and transplanted to the recession site. However, this procedure is often associated with intraoperative bleeding, postoperative discomfort, and variable healing outcomes. This study evaluated the effect of Greater Palatal Compression Suture (GPCS) application on perioperative bleeding and patient outcomes when placed before harvesting connective tissue from the palatal donor site. Thirty-two systemically healthy individuals with gingival recession were randomly assigned to two groups: one group received GPCS before graft harvesting, while the other underwent the standard procedure. The findings demonstrated that GPCS significantly reduced intraoperative bleeding, shortened surgical duration, and improved wound healing. Additionally, individuals in the GPCS group reported lower postoperative pain levels and reduced analgesic consumption during the first postoperative week. Improvements in oral health-related quality of life were also observed. These results suggest that GPCS may serve as a valuable adjunctive technique in gingival graft surgery, optimizing hemostasis, facilitating surgical procedures, and enhancing patient comfort, particularly in cases requiring extensive graft harvesting or in individuals with an increased risk of bleeding.