PRF to Enhance the Esthetic Outcome of Surgical Treatment of Cutaneous Chronic Fistula

Abstract

Cutaneous odontogenic fistulas or sinus tracts are uncommon manifestations of chronic dental infections that typically begin at the apex and discharge the suppurative material through the skin. They usually respond to conventional endodontic treatment or to removal of the causative tooth, leaving often very unesthetic retractile scars. For esthetic reasons, surgical treatment is sometimes necessary to remove the sinus tract. Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) is an autologous source of growth factors obtained from the centrifugated blood of the patient, supporting collagen synthesis, tissue repair and accelerating the wound healing. This is the first to demonstrate the surgical technique using membrane-shaped PRF after resective surgery of a cutaneous sinus tract, simultaneous with the removal of the causative tooth, in comparison with a case treated only with removal of the dental starting point of the infection. The benefic role of this technique in the esthetic post-surgical healing is suggested.