[Pre and postoperative determination of the gingival sulcus fluid for the control of the healing process after periodontal surgery].

To objectify the healing process after gingivectomy and flap operation, the gingival sulcus liquid was determined in 20 patients before and after the operation. It was drawn off in the labial part of the sulcus of anterior teeth by means of microcapillaries and then measured. At the same time, the gingival index (M-index) was checked and the depth, of the pocket was measured. Four weeks after the operation, a clear reduction in the amount of the gingival liquid, the index and the depth of the pocket was observed. The group of probands on which flap operations were performed, had twice as much sulcus liquid than those undergoing gingivectomy, and consequently the amount of exudate decreased considerably more within the first three weeks. After the third postoperative week, the average values converged and after the fourth week they were almost identical. The M-index changed accordingly, the average pocket depth was between 1 and 1.5 mm after four weeks.