Artificial dermis as the substitute for split-thickness skin graft in the treatment of oral submucous fibrosis.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate the viability of artificial dermis as a substitute for split-thickness skin graft in the treatment of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF).

METHODS

The study was conducted on 21 patients who had undergone surgical treatment of trismus caused by OSF. Artificial dermis grafts were used to repair the surgical defects after surgery on the fibrous bands. The changes in the interincisal distances (IDs) were analyzed in the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative stages. All the patients were followed up for at least 3 months.

RESULTS

All the patients habitually chewed betel nuts. The overall success rate was 100% without any or only partial graft loss. There were no reports of immunologic reactions or significant complications. The mean preoperative, intraoperative, and final follow-up IDs were 15.5, 35, and 25 mm, respectively. Evaluation of the changes in the IDs revealed statistically significant differences between the values recorded at the different stages.

CONCLUSIONS

Artificial dermis may be an alternative to split-thickness skin grafts in patients with OSF with moderate trismus.