Donor site wound healing following free gingival graft surgery using platelet rich fibrin: A randomized controlled trial

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Abstract
Background: The primary purpose of this two‐arm, parallel design, randomized controlled study is to compare healing of the palatal tissue donor site when platelet‐rich fibrin (PRF) is used as a wound dressing compared to the use of a hemostatic agent. Secondary outcomes of patient pain perception and analgesic intake were also evaluated.Methods: Seventy‐four patients receiving free gingival grafts were randomized to receive either PRF (test) or hemostatic agent (control) as a palatal wound dressing by patients selecting a sealed envelope containing their group assignment (initially 37 envelopes for PRF group and 37 for hemostatic agent group). Patient pain assessment and analgesic consumption were documented using a 21‐point numerical scale (NMRS‐21) at 24, 48, and 72 hours post‐surgery. At 1‐, 2‐, 3‐, and 4‐week follow‐up appointments palatal early healing index (PEHI) scores including wound color, epithelialization, presence or absence of swelling, granulation tissue, and bleeding on gentle palpation were generated by direct intraoral examination by a blinded examiner unaware of the patients’ treatment group.Results: NMRS‐21 pain scores showed a significant reduction in pain over time in both groups, with no significant difference between groups at any time point. No significant between‐group difference was found in the amount of analgesics taken by patients at 24, 48, and 72 hours. There was significant improvement in PEHI scores over the 4‐week time period in both groups, but there was no significant difference in PEHI score at each time point (1, 2, 3, 4 weeks) between groups. Conclusions: Study findings suggest that there is no difference in early palatal wound healing, patient pain perception, or analgesic consumption between use of PRF or a hemostatic agent as donor‐site wound dressings.

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