Early bone formation in human bone grafts treated with platelet-rich plasma: preliminary histomorphometric results

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on early and late bone healing after autogenous maxillary sinus grafting. Eleven patients were subjected to sinus augmentation with particulated autogenous bone bilaterally with the addition of PRP in one side. Platelet counts in baseline whole blood and PRP were registered. Biopsies were taken in the grafted bone of the sinus area with trephine at 3 months (nine patients) and simultaneously a micro-implant was installed in the same region. The micro-implants with surrounding bone were retrieved by biopsy at 6 months (seven patients). Undecalcified cut and ground sections were histomorphometrically analysed. Quantification of new and old bone in all biopsies was performed. The results of this histological study showed that significantly more new bone was formed at PRP-treated sites compared to controls after 3 months of healing. After 6 months, this effect could no longer be observed. This is in accordance with previous studies showing that PRP has a rather low regenerative capacity but may influence the early phase of bone healing. The additional value of PRP in autogenous bone grafts in the maxillary sinus is questionable.