International Journal of Growth Factors and Stem Cells in Dentistry

TECHNICAL NOTE
Year
: 2018  |  Volume : 1  |  Issue : 1  |  Page : 27--31

Platelet-rich fibrin in the Alveolar Bone graft in cleft lip and palate patient


Bruno Santos de Barros Dias1, Thiago Schneider2, Henrique Pessoa Ladvocat Cintra3,  
1 Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Craniofacial Anomalies Treatment Center, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro; Hospital for Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies, University of São Paulo, Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil
2 Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Craniofacial Anomalies Treatment Center, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro; Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, Brazil
3 Division of Plastic Surgery and Chairman, Craniofacial Anomalies Treatment Center, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Correspondence Address:
Dr. Bruno Santos de Barros Dias
Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Craniofacial Anomalies Treatment Center, Rio de Janeiro State University, Av. Marechal Rondon, 381, Sao Francisco Xavier, Rio de Janeiro
Brazil

Abstract

Reconstruction of the alveolar ridge in patients with cleft lip and palate can be a challenging procedure. This stage of the treatment allows stabilization of the dental arch, adequate dental eruption, and orthodontic movement in the area of the cleft. Hence, it should be performed before the eruption of the permanent canine. Failure mainly occurs by dehiscence, exposure, and contamination of the bone graft. Adequate dissection, the definition of anatomical planes, and precise suture are paramount for a good result. However, this is often not enough. Sometimes, there is an anatomical limitation to make a suitable soft-tissue scaffold to be filled with bone graft. The lack of a hermetic closure of the anatomical planes can lead to contamination of the graft or even prevent its accomplishment in the same surgical time. Growth factors have been widely used in dentistry, with striking results in bone and tissue regeneration. Among these, platelet-rich fibrin is distinguished by allowing it to be made an autogenous membrane. This membrane supports exposure to the oral cavity without contamination and can stimulate the healing of soft and bony tissue, acting as a physical barrier. Its use as a growth factor and protective barrier of the alveolar bone graft in patients with cleft lip and palate is a promising tool for obtaining better results.



How to cite this article:
de Barros Dias BS, Schneider T, Ladvocat Cintra HP. Platelet-rich fibrin in the Alveolar Bone graft in cleft lip and palate patient.Int J Growth Factors Stem Cells Dent 2018;1:27-31


How to cite this URL:
de Barros Dias BS, Schneider T, Ladvocat Cintra HP. Platelet-rich fibrin in the Alveolar Bone graft in cleft lip and palate patient. Int J Growth Factors Stem Cells Dent [serial online] 2018 [cited 2024 Mar 29 ];1:27-31
Available from: https://www.cellsindentistry.org/text.asp?2018/1/1/27/230071


Full Text



 Introduction



The chronology of the cleft lip and palate patient's treatment is well determined by the literature. That is important to achieve suitable growth, function, and esthetic results.

The alveolar bone graft (ABG) should be performed before the irruption of the permanent canine usually between 9 and 12 years of age. The goals of this phase of the treatment should be:[1],[2],[3]

Establish of adequate alveolar ridge and nasal floor anatomyEliminate of oronasal fistula, improve the status of oral hygieneLong-term dental and periodontal health in the teeth adjacent to the cleftAllow teeth movement through cleft area, which is necessary to establish normal occlusionProvide suitable bony architecture on which to perform symmetric nasolabial muscle reconstruction.

To provide adequate surgical planning is important to observe the pyramidal design of this skeletal defect pattern.[2] The critical area of the defect is located at the apex of this pyramid, which corresponds to the posterior region of the nasal mucosa. Often, failure of bone graft is due to the suture dehiscence in this area, which may lead to contamination with partial or total loss of the bone graft.

The positive impacts of the platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), such as accelerated healing, decreased risk of infection, less postoperative discomfort, and fast recovery, can be added by the ability to behave as a membrane, functioning as a biological and physical barrier.[4],[5]

The aim of this technical note is to demonstrate the protocol for the use of PRF membranes in the secondary ABG performed at the Centro de Tratamento das Anomalias Craniofaciais - Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (CTAC-UERJ).

 Technical Note



Preoperative assessment

The usual clinical examination is supplemented by a complete radiological assessment including a cone beam computed tomography to estimate the position of the permanent lateral incisor, if present, or the central incisor, or the canine adjacent to the cleft, as well as assessing the size and shape of the alveolar defect. Usually, the ABG procedure is carried out after orthodontic expansion.

Platelet-rich fibrin membranes protocol

Blood samples were collected from each patient with a 21G scalp (BD, Brazil), in 10 ml glass collection tubes, without the addition of other chemicals (BD, Brazil). After collection, the blood was immediately subjected to centrifugation in a vertical rotor centrifuge (Montserrat ®, São Paulo, Brazil), with a force of approximately 400 g, for 12 min. At the end of the procedure, the clots were removed from the collection tubes and implanted directly into the operated site as barriers.[6],[7]

The membranes were produced by exerting light pressure using gauze for implantation on the surgical site.

 Surgical Technique



This technique is performed under general anesthesia. The patient, placed in dorsal decubitus, is intubated with an orotracheal tube.

The procedure begins with infiltration of 2% lidocaine with 1:200.000 epinephrine into both the palatal mucoperiosteum and the vestibular sulcus on both sides of the cleft.

Incision and detachment

Usually, a horizontal incision is made about 4 mm above the attached gingiva on the vestibular side, from the permanent first molar and extended medially to the oronasal fistula. In wide defects, the intrasulcular incision can be carried in the teeth adjacent to the cleft to facilitate the suture of the vestibular flap. This dissection is carried out on the inner aspect of the maxilla until expose the lateral wall of the cleft. The same incision should be performed, with less extension, on the noncleft side enough to expose the nasal floor, anterior nasal spine, and medial margin of the cleft alveolus. Finally, the borders of the fistula are excised [Figure 1].{Figure 1}

If the palate is open, a mucoperiosteal flap is made in the palate in both sides. The intrasulcular incision can be made from the tuberosity region until anterior hard palate. The extension of this incision varies according to the cleft pattern. A wide and careful dissection allows accurate definition of the union among nasal and palatal mucosa. In this way, the separation of anatomical units is easier.

Nasal and palatal flaps closure (key area of concern)

For a correct closure of the soft tissues, the alveolar cleft should be seen as a three-dimensional structure like a pyramid, where the base is the vestibular alveolar defect, the lateral walls represent the bone margins of the cleft, the inferior wall will be formed by the palatal mucosa and the upper wall will be formed by the nasal mucosa [Figure 2].[2]{Figure 2}

The closure of the nasal mucosa is performed from the upper rotation of the vomer flap superior base, which will join with the flap of the lateral margin of the cleft to form the mucosa of the nasal floor. This is the most critical step of the entire procedure and deserves special attention. In its posterior region (apex of the pyramid), the closure may be compromised by the difficulty of access [Figure 2]. Often, it is not possible to ensure that an adequate closure of the nasal mucosa has been achieved. Failure in this step may lead to contamination with partial or total loss of the bone graft.

The palatal mucosa is reconstructed with the advancement of the palatal flap on both sides. If necessary, the lower part of the vomer flap can be used to assist in the closure [Figure 2].

Platelet-rich fibrin membrane

A PRF membrane is placed covering the suture line of the nasal and palatal mucosa [Figure 3]. This membrane has biological and physical barrier properties. In addition, the membrane accelerates healing and recovery, decreases the risk of infection and postoperative discomfort.{Figure 3}

The numbers of membranes will depend on the size of the defect usually one PRF membrane for each suture line is enough.

Bone graft

The iliac bone is the preferred donor site because it provides ample cortical and cancellous bone for even large defects. A segment of cortical bone is fashioned to fit into the roof of the pyramid. The cortical side of this bone is placed against the PRF membrane and the reconstructed nasal mucosa. It helps to sustain and reinforce the nasal floor [Figure 4]. The remaining space between the cortical bone and the palatal mucosa is packed with a cancellous bone with pressure [Figure 5]. Finally, another layer of PRF membrane is seated in frontal aspect of the defect (pyramid base), underneath the vestibular flap. In this way, the PRF membranes produce a protective layer, isolating the ABG [Figure 6].{Figure 4}{Figure 5}{Figure 6}

Vestibular flap closure

The labial gingiva-periosteal flaps are closed over the anterior wall and sutured using 4-0 Vicryl to the palatal flaps to cover the tooth-erupting surface [Figure 7].{Figure 7}

 Discussion



The ABG is an essential step in the overall management of a cleft lip and palate patient. Secondary ABG procedure, performed between 9 and 12 years of age, has been established as the “gold standard” for alveolar cleft reconstruction and has provided foundational support in current cleft management.[2],[8],[9] However, in our center, we adopt the method described by Precious.[1] As reported the optimum time to perform alveolar bone grafting is when the permanent lateral incisor, if present, or the central incisor adjacent to the cleft is only beginning to erupt, usually at about 5.5–6 years of age.

The main cause of failure in the ABG is the contamination of the graft after exposition in the nasal cavity.[2],[9] Due to that, some surgeons have advocated with the ABG should be delayed until stable soft-tissue coverage has been achieved. Nevertheless, in our experience, the PRF membrane protects the grafted area, even when appropriate closure cannot be obtained. Thus, another surgical procedure is avoided [Figure 8].{Figure 8}

Few articles [10],[11],[12],[13] have been proposing the use of growth factors to enhance the results in ABG. These authors mix growth factors and cancellous bone to improve the osteogenic capacity of the graft. As shown in this technical note, the use of PRF membranes can improve the results of the ABG, promoting faster healing and protection of the bone graft in the case of dehiscence, acting as a physical barrier [Figure 9].{Figure 9}

 Conclusion



In the current economic environment, in which reduced cost measures are needed, it is beneficial to perform a procedure more efficiently with a decreased complication rate. The production of PRF membranes is cheap, fast, and simple. It may contribute to a more efficient surgical procedure with a quicker convalescence for the patient.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

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