Clinical and Histologic Evaluations of Porcine-Derived Collagen Matrix Membrane Used for Vertical Soft Tissue Augmentation: A Case Series

This case series aimed to clinically and histologically evaluate porcine-derived membrane used for vertical thickening of thin soft tissues. Twenty porcinederived collagen membranes and bone-level implants were placed in 20 patients. After 2 months, thickened soft tissues were measured and biopsy samples were harvested. All xenografts healed successfully. The average thickness of thin soft tissue before vertical thickening was 1.65 ± 0.36 mm, while tissue thickness increased to 3.45 ± 0.52 mm after the procedure (P .001); the mean thickness increase was 1.8 ± 0.13 mm. Histologic analysis showed complete integration of the graft and no differences (P = .4578) in vascularization between the host (39.74 ± 17.15 vessels/mm2) and graft (30.43 ± 11.26 vessels/mm2). It can be concluded that porcine-derived membrane can be used for vertical soft tissue thickening with substantial gain in tissue height.