Terminology and History
- SECT graft is a free autogenous graft.
- 'Free' describes the complete removal of the graft from the donor site.
- 'Autogenous' means the donor tissue is provided by the same individual who receives the graft.
- Connective tissue is usually taken from the hard palate.
- Subepithelial refers to the transplantation of connective tissue without the superficial epithelium.
- Edel initially described the SECT graft for increasing the zone of keratinised tissue.
- Other researchers like Broome, Taggert, and Donn also used SECT grafts for the same purpose.
- Edel described different methods for preparing the donor site, such as palatal partial thickness flap and tuberosity partial thickness flap.
- Langer later proposed the use of SECT grafts for root coverage following gingival recession.
- Currently, hard tissue replacements like bone graft materials are commonly used for augmenting hard tissue defects.

Advantages
- The SECT graft combines the benefits of pedicle flaps and free gingival grafts.
- Pedicle flaps alone often suffer from retraction and muscle pull.

Technique
- The procedure involves incising the gingivae at the recipient site.
- The SECT is obtained from the donor site.
- The SECT is secured at the recipient site.
- The incised gingival tissue at both the donor and recipient sites is sutured.
- The donor site may be sutured closed before or after securing the donor tissue to the recipient site.

References
- Edel's study evaluated the clinical use of free connective tissue grafts to increase the width of keratinised gingiva.
- Wennstrom and Pini Prato's book 'Mucogingival Therapy - Periodontal Plastic Surgery' provides information on SECT grafts.
- Langer and Calagna's study introduced the subepithelial connective tissue graft technique.
- Broome and Taggert reported two cases of free autogenous connective tissue grafting.
- Donn conducted a clinical and histologic wound healing study on the free connective tissue autograft.