Use of plasma-enriched demineralized freeze-dried bone matrix in postsurgical jaw defects

The aim is to know the augmented new bone formation in postsurgical bony defects in the maxillofacial region when filled with plasma-enriched demineralized freeze-dried bone allograft (DFDBA).

The study group included 45 patients, selected randomly, and divided in three equated groups. In Group I (control) patients, the wound was closed primarily without incorporating any graft in the bony defect. In Group II, the defect was filled with DFDBA alone and in Group III with DFDBA enriched with platelet-rich plasma (PRP). The said graft material was procured from the (to be discarded) femur head, treated to get rid of its antigenicity, made suitable to be incorporated as a graft material, sterilized by gamma irradiation and then implanted into the jaw defects.

The results were evaluated and interpreted both clinically and radiographically by studying the changes post 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months, respectively. Bone density was evaluated using computed tomography scan in addition to standard conventional radiographs. Evidence of trabecular formation and calcification were noted down. Measurements were recorded by taking note of Hounsfield units. Statistically, one-way ANOVA test followed by least significant difference post hoc test was done. Final results showed that the patients in the Group III had more bone density at the grafted site when compared to the Group II and I patients. These findings were significant.

PRP-enriched DFDBA is a superior grafting material in terms of other grafting materials available. It possesses both osteoconductive and osteoinductive properties and elicits the least immunological response, thereby making it one of the best effective combinations of grafting material to be used in oral and maxillofacial reconstructive purposes.