Efficacy of Recombinant Human Epidermal Growth Factor on Healing of Palatal Donor Sites: A Randomised, Controlled, Double‐Blinded, Single‐Centre Clinical Trial (EGF TRIAL)

AimTo assess the efficacy of topical rhEGF on healing outcomes at palatal soft‐tissue donor sites.Materials and MethodsThis randomised, controlled clinical trial included 60 patients who required harvesting of palatal soft‐tissue grafts. Out of two groups, the intervention group received rhEGF gel (60 μg/application for 5 days) and the comparator group received a placebo gel. Wound healing was assessed by wound area reduction and palatal early healing index (PEHI). Post‐operative pain was assessed using the numerical rating scale (NRS; 0–10), including donor site complications. Measurements were recorded daily for the first 5 days and at 2, 4 and 8 weeks post‐operatively.ResultsFifty‐five participants completed the trial, with dropouts in both groups (intervention [n = 3], control [n = 2]). The test group showed significantly faster healing, as evidenced by higher PEHI scores (p = 0.0011) and greater wound area reduction (p = 0.0057). Post‐operative pain was reduced significantly in the rhEGF group, and pain was nearly absent from day 2 onwards (p = 0.0004). No adverse effects were reported in the intervention group, whereas three participants in the control group experienced prolonged post‐operative pain.ConclusionsTopical rhEGF for 5 days significantly enhanced palatal donor site healing, reduced the wound area and alleviated post‐operative pain.