Background: Platelet-rich-plasma (PRP) is a type of natural source of autologous growth factors, and has been used successfully in various fields. However the use ofPRP in children is not well documented.
Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of adding PRP to a bone graft in the bone regeneration of cystic bony defects following cystectomy.
Study design: Study sample included 20 children who were randomly divided into two groups with 10 patients in each group; all underwent cystectomy In the first group (test group), after cystectomy the cystic defect was filled with PRP and bone graft. In the second group (control group) bone graft alone (without PRP) was used. Radiographs were recorded at 1 month, 2 months, 4 months and 6 months intervals after surgery to evaluate the defect bone fill in both groups.
Results: The post-operative successive radiographs in the test group showed a significantly greater regeneration of bone in the height of bony defects with application of PRP to bone graft as compared to the control group. In the test group, by the first post operative month, about 58% of the defect was filled, which gradually increased in each month and showed about 94% of defect-fill by 6 months. In the control group, similar observation revealed only 31% of defect-fill by the first post-operative month and a 47% defect-fill at 6 months.
Conclusion: The addition of PRP to bone graft appeared to enhance bone regeneration considerably. The combination of PRP and bone graft might have a potential for routine clinical use for regeneration of cystic bony defects in children.