PRP Injection Effect on Palatal Fistula Repair: A Comparative Study

Abstract

Background: Palatal fistula after primary palate repair isan annoying problem for both patients and plastic surgeons.The incidence of fistula depends on the severity of the primarydefect, the technique used for repair and the tension appliedover the wound. Different methods are described for palatalfistula repair, starting from local mucoperiosteal flaps to freeflaps.The recurrence rate of fistula after primary repair is about23%, on the other hand the recurrence rate of fistula after itsrepair is higher as 25-33% up to 100%. Fistulas are classifiedaccording to its site and size. PRP is an autologous bloodproduct, it promotes healing of wounds by its high plateletconcentration and multiple growth factors, and also it decreasesthe risk of infection and increases neovascularization. PRPis used in several clinical applications as in oral maxillofacial,cardiac and plastic surgery.Methods: A comparative study was conducted on 20patients with posterior palatal fistulas, who were divided intotwo groups, group A in which PRP was injected with fistularepair and group B fistula was repaired without PRP injection.Two flap palatoplasty (9 cases in each group) and Furlowtechnique (one case in each group) were used for both groups.Results: A total of 16 patients were followed-up forrecurrence rate of fistulas, statistical analysis showed that ingroup A 25% had a recurrence, while in group B 50% of casesshowed recurrence.Conclusion: PRP injection with the surgical repair of thepalatal fistula has a role in decreasing the recurrence rate ofthe fistula and decreasing the need for further surgical interventionsalso, it is an easy, safe procedure and at an economicprice.