Determination of effects of platalet rich fibrin (TZF) in palatal wound healing after harvsting free gingival graft

Due to its anatomic advantages and ideal tissue thickness, palatal keratinized mucoza has been proposed as optimal donor region for free gingival graft (FGG). However, excessive bleeding, severe post-operative pain, bone exposure, infection and paresthesia have been reported following FGG procedure. Owing to its stimulatory effect on angiogenesis and epithelialization, platelet rich fibrin (PRF) is an excellent material for enhancing wound healing. The use of PRF dressings may be a simple and effective method of reducing the morbidity associated with donor sites of autogenous free gingival grafts. The purpose of this study is to determine the role of PRF in the healing of FGG donor sites. Thirty patients requiring augmentation of keratinized tissue were enrolled fort his study. The palatal donor sites of fifteen patients were covered with PRF membranes as palatal dressing (PRF grup) and of the fifteen patients (control grup) were allowed to heal in a conventional way without PRF membrane to clinically evaluate the difference in healing. Epithelization was evaluated once a week until first month. Postoperative discomfort, secondary bleeding and the consumption of analgesics during the postoperative week 1 were assessed. PRF grup showed a significantly faster complete wound epithelization (CWE); 67% of the PRF patients showed CWE at the end of week 3 (control group 33%). No inter-group difference was observed at the and of week 4. Similarly, PRF patients reported significantly less discomfort, secondary bleeding and took a significantly lower dose of analgesics. PRF membrane as a palatal dressing is an efficacious approach to protect the raw wound area of palatal donor site to reduce healing time and patient discomfort.