Use of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) in the Reconstruction of Mandibular Bony Defects: Clinical and Radiographic Follow-up

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of adding platelet rich plasma (PRP) to a particulate autogenous bone graft in the healing of bony defects following ablative surgery to resect malignancies of the mandible.

Methods: Ten patients, who underwent curative surgical therapy for a malignant tumour and who needed reconstruction of the body of the mandible were selected for this study. The patients were randomly divided into two groups of five patients. In the first group, the defect was reconstructed using an autogenous free bone graft taken from the anterior iliac crest. The five patients in the second group underwent the same treatment, except that the bone graft was mixed with platelet rich plasma (PRP). Panoramic radiographs were taken immediately, at 1 month, 3 months and at 9 months intervals, after reconstruction. Radiographic evaluation took place in a standardized way by two independent examiners.

Results: The clinical outcome of the surgical reconstruction was satisfactory. The initial bone healing in all patients was uneventful. The postoperative successive radiographs showed adequate consolidation of the bone in all cases. Bone healing, as manifested by the obliteration of the bone gaps at the osteotomy sites, was particularly present in the PRP group at 3 months period. This was found to be statistically significant (Chi-square test, P<0.05).

Conclusion: The use of PRP appeared to enhance bone healing considerably. PRP and autogenous free bone grafts might have a potential for routine clinical use to reconstruct bony defects.