Histomorphometric Comparison between Two Types of Acellular Dermal Matrix Grafts: A Mini Pig Animal Model Study

Abstract

Acellular dermal matrix grafts (ADMG) have been used as soft tissue graft substitutes for autografts in periodontal plastic surgical procedures. They have benefits like avoiding a second surgical site and patient morbidity that have been associated with autografts, but there is limited evidence available on their tissue response and wound healing process. This histomorphometric animal model study was carried out in mini pigs and it aimed to compare the two types of ADMG materials of human and porcine derivative with a control group through observation of parameters like epithelial and Keratinized layer thickness, angiogenesis, cellularity, matrix resorption, and inflammatory infiltrate. The surgical technique involved punctures on the edentulous areas stripping the epithelial tissue and exposing the underlying connective tissue, placement of the ADMGs in the appropriate control and test sites. Following this, gingival biopsies were procured at three different time intervals of 15, 45, and 90 days. There were significant differences in epithelial and Keratinized layer thickness among the three groups. This study concluded that there was no clear consensus on which graft material was superior but it gave an insight into the tissue response and wound healing process associated with the graft materials.

Porcine Acellular Dermal Matrix: An Alternative to Connective Tissue Graft—A Narrative Review

“…Alternatives include allografts (AlloDerm) which is an acellular dermal matrix originally introduced to treat burn patients in the year 1992 and has since been used in medical and dental reconstructive surgery as a substitute for CTG with no risk of rejection or disease transmission [ 10 , 11 ]. It consists of an allogenic freeze-dried connective tissue matrix, which has its epidermal layer and cellular components removed keeping its native three-dimensional structure composed of collagen and key extracellular matrix components including fibronectin, proteoglycans, and vascular channels which support cell migration and capillary proliferation.…”