Objectives:The aim of this RCT study was to compare early wound healing and gingival crevicular fluid cytokine levels of patients treated with two different post-surgical cleansing protocols. Methods:A total of 30 chronic periodontitis patients scheduled for osseous resective surgery with fibre retention technique were randomly assigned to follow one of two post-surgical protocols. Patients assigned to the test protocol (n = 15) were instructed to brush the surgical area with a sonic toothbrush starting the day after surgery in addition to 0.12% chlorhexidine (CHX) rinsing, while patients following the control protocol (n = 15) rinsed only with 0.12% CHX solution and resumed mechanical cleansing with a manual toothbrush on day 14 after surgery. Interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-8 levels were assessed before and 14 days post-operatively in gingival crevicular fluid. Patients were recalled on day 7, 14, 21 and 28 after surgery for clinical assessment. Pain was self-reported by a visual analogue scale.