Surgical treatment of osteonecrosis of the jaw with the use of platelet-rich fibrin: a prospective study of 15 patients

The objective of this study was to evaluate the outcome of the surgical treatment of osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) with the additional use of autologous membranes of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF). The study population consisted of 15 patients with ONJ lesions in the maxilla (n = 3), mandible (n = 11), or both (n = 1). Eight patients had malignant disease and were treated with high-dose anti-resorptive medication; seven were treated with low-dose anti-resorptive drugs for osteoporosis. Thirteen patients had grade 2 ONJ lesions and two had grade 3 lesions. The following standardized surgical technique was applied: resection of necrotic bone, mobilization of mucoperiosteal flaps, and multiple layer coverage of bone with PRF membranes. At follow-up 7-20 months after surgery, complete mucosal healing and an absence of symptoms were found in 14 of the 15 patients (93%). The patient with persistent bone exposure had a grade 3 ONJ lesion before surgery. This study suggests that the use of PRF membranes in the surgical treatment of grade 2 ONJ may be a contributing factor to a successful outcome.