Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) of leucocyte and platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF) or hemostatic agent application at palatal donor sites after free gingival graft harvesting: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the patient's morbidity and post-surgical complications after treatment of palatal donor sites after free gingival graft (FGG) harvesting using Leucocyte-and Platelet Rich Fibrin (L-PRF) membranes or a hemostatic agent with oxidized and regenerated cellulose. Forty-two palatal donar sites after FGG haversting in 42 patients were randomly assigned to experimental (L-PRF membrane) or control procedure (hemostatic agent). The primary outcome was postoperative pain related to the wound located at palatal area, while the secondary outcomes were post-operative discomfort, inability to chew, post-operative stress, surgical chair time, thickness of palatal fibromucosa and thickness of FGG. The PROMs were recorded after one week. After one week, a statistically significant difference was found between groups in terms of post operative stress (p=0.0083). No statistically significant differences in terms of postoperative pain (p=0.326), patient discomfort (p=0.509), inability to chew (p=0.936), surgical chair time (p=0.932) were recorded between test and control group. No statistically significant differences were recorded in terms of thickness of palatal fibromucosa (p=0.647) and thickness of FGG (P=0.756) between groups. Post-surgical wound healing complications (i.e., necrosis or infections) were not observed in both groups. Within their limitations, the present outcomes indicated that the application of L-PRF membrane at palatal donor sites after FGG harvesting did not produce significant advantages for the patients.