Evaluation of mechanical properties of platelet-rich fibrin membrane for implant surgery: An analysis in vitro

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the mechanical resistance of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) membrane when submitted to resistance traction on longitudinal axis. Blood collection of a healthy individual was collected with an amount of 300 mL and divided into 30 tubes containing 10 mL each one. The samples were divided into three groups, according to the g-force protocols: (1) F200 g: (2) F400 g; (3) F800 g. Membranes of each g-force group were divided into subgroups, according to waiting time after centrifugation: (T0) immediate use and (T30) use after 30 min. Considering these intervals of time, the concentrate was removed from tubes and inserted in a PRF metallic box to confection of the membrane. The PRF membranes were submitted to mechanical tension on a universal testing machine and obtained to a resistance force of each membrane. The centrifugation time showed no statistically significant difference for membrane resistance for any force applied (P > 0.05; Student's t-test). For T0 group results demonstrated no influence for membrane resistance (P = 0.357; Student's t-test), therefore T30 showed statistically significant difference (P = 0.040; Student's t-test) for membrane resistance for centrifugation forces applied, with highest value when applied greatest force. The findings suggest that the waiting time for centrifugation could be determined according to demand of application, and for immediate use of the membrane, the centrifugation did not influence the resistance, on the other hand, after 30 min, the application of higher force resulted in a membrane with considerable resistance.