24494804
BACKGROUND	The aim of this study was to comparatively evaluate three different stabilization methods with regards to the amount of shrinkage in free gingival graft .
METHODS	Forty-five patients were included in three study groups : where stabilization was achieved with conventional technique , cyanoacrylate or microsurgery .
METHODS	In the conventional group standardized 5-0 sutures were used .
METHODS	In the microsurgery group grafts were stabilized with 7-0 sutures and loupe .
METHODS	In the third group , graft was stabilized with cyanoacrylate .
METHODS	Keratinized tissue width , graft area , gingival recession were calculated by a specific software on standard photographs at baseline , 1 - , 3 - , 6-month follow-ups .
METHODS	Duration of surgery was also recorded .
METHODS	Pain in recipient and donor sites was assessed using visual analogue scale within the first postoperative week .
RESULTS	Change in keratinized tissue width was similar in the study groups at all times .
RESULTS	Graft shrinkage was significantly less ( p < 0.05 ) in the cyanoacrylate group than the other groups , whereas those in the conventional and microsurgery groups were similar .
RESULTS	Significantly less pain in the recipient site was reported by the patients in the cyanoacrylate group ( p < 0.05 ) .
RESULTS	Duration of surgery was significantly less in the cyanoacrylate group than the other groups ( p < 0.05 ) .
CONCLUSIONS	Less graft shrinkage in the free gingival graft , together with shorter surgery time and less pain in the recipient site obtained in the cyanoacrylate group , suggest that cyanoacrylate may be considered as an alternative for stabilization of free gingival grafts .

