Recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor-BB-soaked gelatin sponge reduces patient pain in palatal graft donor sites

The free gingival graft (FGG) remains a gold standard for treating mucogingival defects and increasing the width of keratinized tissue. However, patients receiving FGG surgery report substantial post-operative discomfort, bleeding, and swelling, more so than those receiving connective tissue grafts, for example, and some of these post-operative sequelae can be difficult to manage. Various techniques are utilized in achieving hemostasis, but no current techniques effectively reduce the pain and discomfort to the patient. Ten FGGs were harvested from the palates of 10 patients to treat mucogingival deficiencies elsewhere in each patient. Immediately (<1 min) after harvesting the FGG, a gelatin sponge soaked in recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor-BB (rhPDGF-BB) was placed into the wound site and sutured in place with absorbable sutures. Patients were followed up on days 3, 7, and 14 for assessing pain levels utilizing patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), which incorporate the visual analog scale and the quantification of analgesics consumed. Clinically, the rhPDGF-BB/gelatin sponge-treated FGG palatal donor sites began to heal by day 3 of follow-up, and the healing was completed during the visit on day 14. No adverse effects, including swelling or bleeding, were observed at any of the post-surgical time points. According to the visual pain score, patients experienced minor discomfort, but no dissatisfaction was reported. Patients whose palatal FGG donor site was treated with a gelatin sponge soaked in rhPDGF-BB reported little or no post-surgery discomfort and low morbidity at the donor site within 2 weeks. These findings are in sharp contrast to the well-known substantial discomfort most patients experience following the harvesting of a palatal FGG. The data suggest that treating FGG palatal donor sites with rhPDGF-BB-soaked gelatin sponge can improve patient experience.