Effectiveness of maxillary cortical bone graft chips harvested by bone scraper, covered with platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), in reconstruction of alveolar clefts: comparative study

• Published in: Oral and maxillofacial surgery Vol. 28; no. 1; pp. 205 - 216
• Main Authors: Aldaghir, Osamah Mohammed, Naje, Ahmed Rafea, Ghadhban, Ahmed Talib, Al atabi, Hayder Saad hanfoosh
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.03.2024; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Alveolar Bone Grafting - methods; Bone Transplantation - methods; Cleft Palate - diagnostic imaging; Cleft Palate - surgery; Cortical Bone; Esthetics, Dental; Fistula; Humans; Maxilla - diagnostic imaging; Maxilla - surgery; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery; Platelet-Rich Fibrin; Skin & tissue grafts; Bone scraper; Alveolar bone grafting; PRF; Cortical bone chips; Cleft lip and palate
• ISSN: 1865-1569; 1865-1550; 1865-1569
• DOI: 10.1007/s10006-022-01128-0

Purpose The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of maxillary cortical bone graft chips harvested by bone scraper, covered with platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) in alveolar clefts. Patients and methods Seventy-two cleft patients were examined for their eligibility to be part in this comparative study; they were randomly divided into group A, thirty-six patients had received cancellous bone chips from iliac crest; group B, thirty-six had received cortical bone chips harvested from maxilla using a curved bone scraper, covered with PRF. The clinical success over the follow-up period was evaluated on the basis of elimination of the oronasal fistula, radiographic assessment of bone graft volume, achievement of the osseous continuity of the alveolar arch, and the extent of the vertical bone height. Results The mean of volume gained in group A was 0.8053 ± 0.9682, while for group B was 0.7397 ± 0.7703. The amount of vertical bone loss between groups was registered, and the chi-square test revealed insignificant differences between study groups ( p  = 0.547). The result of the frequency of fistula development after grafting in both groups was insignificant ( p  = 0.074). Also, for the continuity of the maxilla as a one piece, the results were insignificant differences between study groups ( p  = 0.058). Conclusion In conclusion of our study, intraoral harvesting of maxillary cortical chips by bone scraper covered with PRF is able to achieve a valid functional and aesthetic support in alveolar cleft patients, meeting the reconstructive goals.