Efficacy of fibrin-rich platelets and leukocytes (L-PRF) in tissue repair in surgical oral procedures in patients using zoledronic acid—case–control study

INTRODUCTION: Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (MRONJ) is a complication that develops in patients who use or have used antiresorptive or antiangiogenic medications for the treatment of bone metabolic disease and bone metastases. Clinically, MRONJ is characterized by the appearance of an inflammation in soft tissues and exposure of necrotic bone tissue in mandible or maxilla, for a period of 8 weeks, in patients with no history of head and neck radiotherapy that were being or are being treated with antiresorptive and/or antiangiogenic agents. The fibrin-rich platelets and leukocytes (L-PRF) membrane has been used as an alternative for MRONJ prevention. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of L-PRF in prevention and treatment of bone necrosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The patients included had MRONJ diagnosis confirmed after clinical and radiographic examination and patients whose only therapeutic option was dental extraction. RESULTS: Twenty patients were included in the study and were divided in three groups. Two patients were removed from the study due to previous history of pentoxifylline and tocopherol use. The result of surgical treatment was successful in 57% in group 1 (control/MRONJ prevention), 100% in group 2 (MRONJ prevention), and 80% in group 3 (MRONJ treatment). CONCLUSION: L-PRF is an autologous biomaterial that allows the release of growth factors for a prolonged time, resulting in a better healing, reducing the risk contamination, edema, and postoperative pain, being a great ally in the prevention and treatment of MRONJ because it returns to these patients, mainly quality of life, reducing pain, and recurrent infections commonly seen in the processes of bone necrosis of the jaws.