PLATELET RICH FIBRIN VERSUS HYALURONIC ACID AS PALATAL WOUND DRESSINGS FOLLOWING EPITHELIALIZED FREE GINGIVAL GRAFT HARVEST: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED CLINICAL TRIAL

Abstract

Introduction: Patient centered outcome became of great interest nowadays. Patient’s pain and discomfort following free gingival graft procedure are common complain. Different palatal dressings are suggested to cover and protect the palatal donor site as stents, collagen gelatin scaffolds, platelet rich fibrin (PRF), hyaluronic acid (HA) and Alvogyl. However, in the literature no ideal agent has been emphasized. Objectives: This randomized controlled clinical trial compares for the first-time the effect of PRF versus HA palatal wound dressings on postoperative pain, post-surgical bleeding, and wound healing. Materials and methods: Following sample size calculation, 30 systemically healthy patients requiring palatal mucosal graft harvesting were randomized to receive either PRF or HA (intervention groups) or gelatin sponge (control group) as palatal dressings. Patient-reported visual analogue score (VAS) pain scores as primary outcome. Post-surgical bleeding and wound healing were considered as secondary outcomes. Results: VAS pain scores were reported minimal in PRF group throughout follow up intervals, PRF was statistically significant when compared to HA group at 3 and 7 days postoperative, PRF was statistically significant when compared to control group from 3 to 30 days postoperative and VAS in PRF was nearly 0 in day 14. PRF group showed the highest value of healing index during all the follow up intervals with mean 4.4 at 30 days that indicates a full healing of palatal wound area. Conclusions: Within this study’s limitations, PRF had better outcomes than both HA and gelatin sponge in means of cost, pain reduction, hemostasis and healing properties.