Ultrasonographic analysis of palatal donor site healing accelerated with platelet-rich fibrin following subepithelial connective tissue harvesting.

OBJECTIVE: Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) contains a variety of growth factors and bioactive molecules that play crucial roles in wound healing and angiogenesis. We aimed to evaluate the effects of PRF on tissue thickness and vascularization of the palatal donor site by ultrasound (USG) following subepithelial connective tissue harvesting. METHODOLOGY: A subepithelial connective tissue graft was harvested from the palatal region with a single incision for root coverage in 20 systemically healthy patients. In the test group (n = 10), the PRF membrane was placed at the donor site, whereas no material was applied in the control group (n=10). Palatal tissue thickness (PTT) and pulsatility index (PI) were evaluated by USG at baseline and on the 3rd, 7th, 14th, 30th, and 90th days after surgery. The early healing index (EHI) was used to evaluate donor site healing for 30 days. RESULTS: PTT was significantly higher in the PRF group on the 3rd and 14th days after surgery when compared to the controls. In the PRF-treated group, PI levels were significantly higher than in the controls, especially on the 14th day. PTT increased significantly 90 days after surgery compared to the test group baseline, but controls showed a significant decrease. The PRF group showed statistically significant improvements in EHI scores compared to controls on days 3, 7, and 14. This study found a negative correlation between PI values and EHI scores on postoperative days three and seven in the test group. CONCLUSION: USG is a non-invasive, objective method to radiographically evaluate the regenerative effects of PRF on palatal wound healing after soft tissue harvesting. To overcome graft inadequacy in reharvesting procedures, PRF application may enhance clinical success and reduce possible complications by increasing tissue thickness and revascularization in the donor area.

Ultrasonographic analysis of palatal donor site healing accelerated with platelet-rich fibrin following subepithelial connective tissue harvesting

Abstract Objective Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) contains a variety of growth factors and bioactive molecules that play crucial roles in wound healing and angiogenesis. We aimed to evaluate the effects of PRF on tissue thickness and vascularization of the palatal donor site by ultrasound (USG) following subepithelial connective tissue harvesting. Methodology A subepithelial connective tissue graft was harvested from the palatal region with a single incision for root coverage in 20 systemically healthy patients. In the test group (n = 10), the PRF membrane was placed at the donor site, whereas no material was applied in the control group (n=10). Palatal tissue thickness (PTT) and pulsatility index (PI) were evaluated by USG at baseline and on the 3rd, 7th, 14th, 30th, and 90th days after surgery. The early healing index (EHI) was used to evaluate donor site healing for 30 days. Results PTT was significantly higher in the PRF group on the 3rd and 14th days after surgery when compared to the controls. In the PRF-treated group, PI levels were significantly higher than in the controls, especially on the 14th day. PTT increased significantly 90 days after surgery compared to the test group baseline, but controls showed a significant decrease. The PRF group showed statistically significant improvements in EHI scores compared to controls on days 3, 7, and 14. This study found a negative correlation between PI values and EHI scores on postoperative days three and seven in the test group. Conclusion USG is a non-invasive, objective method to radiographically evaluate the regenerative effects of PRF on palatal wound healing after soft tissue harvesting. To overcome graft inadequacy in reharvesting procedures, PRF application may enhance clinical success and reduce possible complications by increasing tissue thickness and revascularization in the donor area.

Assessment of Dimensional Changes in Submandibular Glands in Head-Neck Radiotherapy Patients by Ultrasonography.

OBJECTIVES: The present study investigated the dimensional changes in the submandibular glands following radiotherapy using ultrasonography. METHODS: Twenty-three patients planned to receive head-neck radiotherapy were included in this study. The anteroposterior, superoinferior, mediolateral length, and volumes of 46 submandibular glands were measured by ultrasonography at 3 different time periods (before radiotherapy and in the second and sixth months after the radiotherapy onset) and evaluated in terms of dimensional changes and the effect of the radiation dose on these changes. The data were statistically analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) and 2-factor repeated measures ANOVA. RESULTS: Before radiotherapy and in the second and sixth months after the radiotherapy onset, mean anteroposterior length of the submandibular glands was 32.39 ± 4.55, 30.38 ± 4.80, and 31.50 ± 3.68 mm, respectively; mean superoinferior length was 9.96 ± 1.54, 8.76 ± 1.26, and 9.08 ± 1.01 mm, respectively; mean mediolateral length was 24.66 ± 3.77, 22.03 ± 3.73, and 21.76 ± 4.01 mm, respectively; and mean volume was 4.21 ± 1.01, 3.08 ± 0.77, and 3.32 ± 0.63 cm3 , respectively. Moreover, there were significant differences in the anteroposterior (P < .01), superoinferior (P < .001), and mediolateral lengths (P < .001), as well as the volumes (P < .001) of the submandibular glands measured at the 3 different time periods. CONCLUSION: In the second and sixth months after the radiotherapy onset, the sizes of the submandibular glands were markedly reduced, but it partially recovered to normal as more time elapsed after radiotherapy.