Evaluation of L-platelet-rich fibrin in non- and post-COVID-19 patients and its role in periodontal regeneration - A microscopic analysis

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) is a term for autologous platelet concentrates generated from the patient's own blood (PRF). PRF and its derivatives (L-PRF, A-PRF, i-PRF) have been used for delicate tissue restoration in a variety of dental procedures. The quantity of leucocytes and other growth factors in PRF of healthy and post-COVID-19 people differs, according to the literature, and these influence wound tissue healing. Materials and Methods: Thirty healthy volunteers and 30 post-COVID-19 volunteers (age range 24-60 years). For PRF preparation, a REMI PR-23 table centrifuge and a blood collection kit consisting of a 19G needle and 10 ml blood collection tubes were used. The analysis was performed by dividing the subject groups into three test groups (Group 1 - post-COVID-19, 0-30 days;Group 2 - post-COVID-19, 31-90 days;Group 3 - normal patients). Group 1, 2 and 3 consisted of 23, 7 and 30 patients, respectively. Results: The result was statistically significant between the normal and posted COVID-19 patient groups (P = 0.00). Not much statistical significance was found between post-COVID-19 patients from 0-30 days to 31-90 days (P = 0.370). Considering the limitations of the study, our findings imply that typical patients' PRF clots or membranes comprise the majority of platelets and half of the leucocytes present in the first blood collection. Conclusion: Within the fibrin network, platelet growth factors are stuck, but the PRF clot or membrane of the post-COVID-19 patients contains a reduced/negligible number of leucocytes. Thus, the growth factors which is released are also less. Therefore, usage of PRF in post-COVID-19 patients for periodontal regenerative therapies should be avoided, at least for the first 60 days, to replenish the reduced leucocyte count and growth factors in the blood.