Importance of pain perception after mucogingival surgery in multiple Miller class III/RT2 gingival recessions: A randomized clinical trial

Although postoperative pain after mucogingival surgery can modify the patient's daily life, few studies have compared daily postoperative pain in mucogingival surgery considering patient characteristics. The aim of this study was to evaluate postoperative pain in 24 patients with Miller class III/RT2 multiple recessions treated with the modified VISTA (m-VISTA) versus the coronally advanced flap (CAF) with a connective tissue graft (CTG). Data related to pain intensity (PI), pain duration (PD), analgesic drug intake (AI), and time of analgesic need (TAN) were collected in the "UPV/EHU pain diary". Other data were also evaluated such as the patient's central sensitization level, pre-surgical pain, dimensions of CTG, and postoperative incidences were included. A descriptive and analytical statistical analysis was performed. PI (m-VISTA = 11.19 vs. CAF = 8.10) and PD (m-VISTA = 25.27 min. vs. CAF = 10.34 min.) were higher in the test group, being statistically significant at 2 and 8 hours. TAN (m-VISTA = 63.58 min. vs. CAF = 53.25 min.) was higher in the test group, while AI was two times higher in the control group (m-VISTA = 15 vs. CAF = 38). An association was observed between PI and both the length of the SCTG and drugs/alcohol consumption. Postoperative pain was greater in the group of patients treated with m-VISTA. However, these patients showed a higher number of risk factors which might have increased or modified their pain symptoms.