Effect of platelet-rich plasma on bone regeneration after removal of cysts and benign tumours of the jaws

Introduction: Platelets are involved in regeneration at sites of pathology, apart from their role in clotting. A preparation composed mainly of platelets (platelet-rich plasma gel) applied to sites of bony pathology, after surgical treatment of lesions, may hasten bone regeneration.

Materials and methods: An autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) gel was prepared using a standardized technique, without using thrombin clot accelerator, and applied to surgical site in six patients of study group. Five patients were enrolled as controls, in whom PRP gel was not used. The differences in the occurrence of radiographic changes between the study and control group at 6, 12, 18 and 24 weeks after surgery were analysed with chi-square test. Intragroup radiographic changes, i.e. within the study and control groups occurring over the 24 weeks of follow-up, were analysed with Friedman test.

Results: A trend towards more rapid healing was observed in the study group at 6, 12, 18 and 24 weeks. However, these differences between the study and control group were not statistically significant. Both the study and control group demonstrated significant healing changes over the 24 weeks of follow-up.

Conclusions: It is possible to prepare platelet-rich plasma gel without using thrombin clot accelerator. PRP, as prepared and applied to surgical sites in this study, was not observed to significantly enhance bone regeneration. All surgical sites, both in the PRP and control group, showed significant healing changes over 6 months.