Efficacy of Collagen Sponges and Gelatine Sponges as Dressing for Palatal Wounds: A Randomised Controlled Clinical Trial

To evaluate the clinical outcomes of collagen sponges (CSs) on wound healing following palatal graft harvesting and compare their efficacy with gelatine sponges (GSs). Thirty-two participants who had undergone free gingival grafts or de-epithelialised gingival grafts were randomised into the CS group or the GS group. Wound healing rate was calculated as the percentage of the healed wound area divided by the initial wound area. Wound healing rate and complete epithelialisation were evaluated at 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks. Postoperative pain was assessed on days 1, 3 and 7. Willingness to repeat graft harvesting, delayed bleeding and aesthetic outcomes were also recorded. CS group had higher wound healing rates than GS group at 1 and 2 weeks (24.44% ± 6.28% vs. 5.56% ± 2.19%, p < 0.01; 91.54% ± 3.20% vs. 75.56% ± 4.77%, p < 0.05). Complete epithelialisation was achieved within 2-3 weeks in CS group and within 2-4 weeks in GS group, but no significant difference was found. Postoperative pain in VAS was lower in the CS group on Day 1 compared with the GS group (1.6 ± 0.4 vs. 3.1 ± 0.5, p < 0.05). No significant difference could be detected in willingness to repeat graft harvesting, delayed bleeding and aesthetic outcomes. Compared with GS, CS seemed to offer improved early healing and reduced postoperative pain following palatal graft harvesting. This trial was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry with the registration number ChiCTR2200057221 (https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=154474) on March 4, 2022.