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.