Patient-Reported Outcomes After MCAT with Connective Tissue Graft: A Retrospective Pooled Analysis of Three Split-Mouth Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background

Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are essential for assessing postoperative morbidity and patient-centered treatment value after periodontal plastic surgery. This study evaluated PROMs following the modified coronally advanced tunnel (MCAT) combined with subepithelial connective tissue graft (SCTG) and different adjunctive biomaterials.

Methods

This retrospective pooled secondary analysis included 64 patients treated for 275 gingival recessions using MCAT + SCTG with physiological saline (control), 24% EDTA, enamel matrix derivative (EMD), or cross-linked hyaluronic acid (HA). PROMs were the primary outcomes and included postoperative pain and swelling assessed using a 0-100 mm visual analogue scale (VAS), together with binary symptom measures recorded on days 1, 2, 4, 7, and 14. Patient satisfaction, esthetic perception, and willingness to recommend treatment were also assessed. Clinical and esthetic outcomes at 12 months served as reference parameters.

Results

Early postoperative pain differed significantly between groups on days 1, 2, and 7 (p = 0.016, 0.024, and 0.033, respectively). Edema also varied significantly on days 2, 4, and 14 (p = 0.011, 0.001, and 0.001, respectively). The HA group showed lower pain scores on days 2 and 4, whereas EDTA was associated with greater early discomfort. Despite these differences, long-term satisfaction, esthetic perception, willingness to recommend treatment, and root coverage outcomes were high and comparable among groups (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

MCAT + SCTG provides predictable and stable outcomes for multiple gingival recessions, regardless of adjunctive biomaterial. However, PROMs revealed differences in early postoperative morbidity, supporting their integration into clinical decision-making alongside clinician-reported outcomes.