Preprosthetic mandibular vestibuloplasty with split-skin graft. A 2-year follow-up study.

17 patients with lower denture malfunction problems related to insufficient residual ridges had a vestibuloplasty with split-skin graft performed in the mandible under local analgesia on an out-patient basis. The patients were followed-up for 2 years and records of vestibular extension showed a maximum of relapse at the 1-month control (24%). Most of the lost extension was regained at the 6-month check, and the 2-year outcome was 92% of the surgically-created vestibular sulcus extension as a mean value of records obtained at the midline and canine regions. A comparison with a previous study on buccal mucosal graft vestibuloplasty led to the conclusion that free grafts of skin and buccal mucosa prevent a relapse equally well under the same circumstances. 13 patients were satisfied with the improvement achieved, 3 reported fair, and 1 was dissatisfied with the result of the operation. The split-skin graft underwent a change of appearance in 5 cases interpreted as a skin graft candidosis. Indication of this condition accelerating the residual ridge resorption is discussed.