PRF improves wound healing and postoperative discomfort after harvesting subepithelial connective tissue graft from palate: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study is to determine the use of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) in the management of soft tissue donor site healing after harvesting connective tissue graft (CTG) from the palate and evaluate the postoperative discomfort (pain, bleeding, analgesic consumption, tissue color match) of patients. Materials and methods: Forty patients were randomly assigned to PRF or control group. In the PRF group, PRF membrane was placed into CTG donor site. After surgery, delayed bleeding, early healing index (EHI), tissue color match, and analgesic consumption were recorded. The visual analog scale (VAS) was used to observe the postoperative pain and tissue color match. Data were analyzed using the independent sample t test and the repeated measure ANOVA test. Results: The patients in the PRF group reported significantly lower pain scores at all-time points. Postoperative 3rd and 7th day, EHI scores were lower in the favor of the PRF group. VAS score values of tissue color match were lower in the control group at 7th and 14th day, compared with the PRF group. Analgesic intake was significantly lower in the PRF group postoperatively at 1st and 3rd day that of control group. Conclusion: PRF application at the palatal donor site demonstrates promising results in terms of better wound healing and reduced postoperative discomfort in the patients after harvesting CTG. Clinical relevance: Patients may avoid surgical operations because of the discomfort or pain feeling. Reducing postoperative pain and discomfort and accelerating recovery meet the wishes of every patient and physician. PRF can provide these requirements as an easy method to obtain and implement. © 2019, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.