Soft tissue management: suturing and wound closure

ORCiD

Dr. Ove A. Peters: 0000-0001-5222-8718

Department

Endodontics

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Endodontic Topics

ISSN

1601-1538

Volume

11

Issue

1

DOI

10.1111/j.1601-1546.2005.00165.x

First Page

179

Last Page

195

Publication Date

7-1-2006

Abstract

The healing capacity of oral tissues is excellent. Flap design should allow maintenance of optimal and sufficient blood supply to all mobilized and immobilized portions of the soft tissues. With prolonged duration of the surgical procedure, especially when a high degree of hemostasis has been achieved, there is a risk of drying out of tissues. The surgical site must be kept moist to minimize shrinkage of the reflected tissue flap. In surgical endodontics, the marginal epithelium and connective tissue are not removed, but are left intact on the tooth surface subsequent to tissue incision, elevation, and reflection. The treatment is aimed at maintaining vitality and survival of these tissues in order to facilitate and expedite the healing process. Ideally, wound healing does not result in new attachment formation, but preferably in reattachment, or healing by primary intention. The re-approximated tissue flap should rest passively in the desired place before suturing, reducing tension on the flap margins. In general, tissue trauma, such as stretching, tearing, or distortion should be avoided at all times. Gentle and careful manipulation with microsurgical instruments is helpful. As every placement of a suture poses additional injury to the wound margins, the smallest possible number of sutures should be used. Non-absorbable suture materials in sizes 6-0 to 8-0 are preferred and absorbable material is only recommended in multilayered closure. Sutures must not act as ligatures and should exert minimal tension. Time required for the wound to heal is closely related to the gap between tissue wound margins. Therefore, perfect adaptation will allow earlier suture removal. Wound support is only needed until the healing process has progressed to such an extent that the tissue can withstand functional forces.

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS