A Novel Zinc-Containing Palatal Stent and Topical Oxygen Therapy for Wound Protection and Healing Following Mucoperiosteal Flap Surgery in the Hard Palate: A Case Report.
This case report published in Cureus 16(7), Journal of Medical Science, explores the innovative use of a zinc-containing palatal stent combined with topical oxygen therapy for wound protection and healing following mucoperiosteal flap surgery in the hard palate. The study, conducted by Minas Leventis (Greece) and Kenneth Van Stralen (USA), examines the effectiveness of these advanced materials in reducing post-operative pain, swelling, and infection, thereby enhancing patient recovery.
By Minas Leventis 1) and Kenneth Van Stralen 2)
1) Oral Surgery, Dental School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, GRC
2) Dentistry, Marquette University, Milwaukee, USA
Abstract
In oral surgery, common surgical procedures such as the removal of impacted teeth, the treatment of intraosseous cysts and tumors, and endodontic surgery often require access through a palatal approach. FullThickness flap surgery in the hard palate region can result in significant postoperative pain, swelling, and hematoma, adversely affecting the patient’s function and well-being for several days. Moreover, postoperative infection can delay or compromise healing. Post-surgical traditional palatal stents have been shown to effectively reduce discomfort by minimizing swelling and pain during the early healing phases.
Recent advances in materials with the incorporation of bioactive agents have led to the fabrication of a new generation of wound dressings that provide improved conditions for effective wound protection and healing. This case report illustrates the use of a novel, zinc-embedded, thermoplastic surgical polymer for the chairside fabrication of post-operative palatal stents. A 33-year-old female patient, who underwent mucoperiosteal flap surgery for the management of a nasopalatine duct cyst, was provided immediately post-surgery with a customized zinc-containing palatal stent. The bone defect was grafted using a fully resorbable synthetic bone substitute, and an oxygen and lactoferrin-releasing oral gel was provided postoperatively as an adjunct therapy. The innovative stent helped the patient maintain low levels of pain and minimal swelling during the initial postoperative period, resulting in uneventful healing, as documented during the one-week follow-up appointment. Further reviews at four weeks and six months post-surgery revealed successful healing and sensory recovery in the anterior palatal region.
As emphasized in this report, the chairside fabrication of zinc-containing palatal stents for post-operative wound protection seems to constitute a valid, simple, time-saving, and cost-effective clinical solution. Moreover, the incorporation of zinc nanoparticles into the stent is of great clinical importance, potentially offering significant benefits in post-operative bacterial control and enhancement of the early-phase palatal soft-tissue healing.