Treatment of gingival lichen with free palatal grafts.
BACKGROUND
Recalcitrant gingival erythematous lichen planus/lichenoid lesions comprise a considerable therapeutic problem. The objective of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effect of grafting keratinized oral palatal mucosa to the sites of gingival lichen.


METHODS
In 12 patients 20 grafts were transplanted to buccal gingival lesions. Mean age of the patients was 59.8 +/- 7.1 years (range 46-71 years). The mean observation time was 32 +/- 32.7 months (range 5-97 months).


RESULTS
On a 4-point clinical grade scale (0-3), 12 (60%) transplants showed complete healing grade 3, six (30%) grade 2 and two (10%) grade 1.


CONCLUSIONS
Using oral mucosal grafts from the palatal mucosa for the treatment of recalcitrant erythematous gingival lichen planus/lichenoid lesions seems to be a promising treatment modality.
Axéll
Tony
T
Maxillofacial Unit, Halmstad Hospital, Halmstad, Sweden. tony.axell@lthalland.se
Henriksen
Birgitte Moesgaard
BM
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005882:Gingival Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D017676:Lichen Planus, Oral / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D021362:Palate, Hard / Q000637:transplantation*