Key points to execute internal horizontal mattress suture in tissue augmentation

Ideal sutures can provide great fixation, wound closure and a stable environment for healing of the surgical site. Tension-free apposition sutures are important for tissue regeneration and could tackle insufficient amounts of soft and hard tissue, especially in missing tooth sites that require implantation. The internal horizontal mattress suture, similar to the conventional horizontal mattress suture, forms a rectangle that can be bisected by the incision with both intrusion and extrusion of the needle on each side. On the basis of the rectangle, the internal horizontal mattress suture emphasizes that the suture should be located below the incision, so the eversion of the wound margin is the highlight of this procedure. The internal horizontal mattress suture could stabilize the graft on the targeting tissue, realize the fixation of the collagen membrane, apically repositioned flap and soft tissue graft, reduce the tension on the incision, and further release the tension of the incision margin. Beyond the primary need for fixation and wound closure, internal horizontal mattress sutures can also achieve stress interruption that reduces the interference of the surrounding muscle and can better master wound tension with the assistance of interrupted sutures. Given the above advantages, horizontal internal mattress sutures have great potential in the application of implant-related regenerative surgery. In this review, according to our experience in clinical practice and the literature, we summarize the advantages of internal horizontal mattress sutures in tissue augmentation. In addition, the sites and sequence to insert the needle and the spatial relationship between the suture and incision are clarified with the rationale of the naming pattern, which is conducive to experience exchange and clinical practice.