the use of platelet-rich fi brin (prf) and prf-mixed particulated autogenous bone graft in the treatment of bone defects:an experimental and histomorphometrical study

background: various materials and techniques have been developed to facilitate bone healing process and reduce its healing period. in recent studies, it is pointed out that, platelet-rich fi brin (prf) which is derived autogenously from the own blood of the individuals, increase regeneration and accelerate the healing of the wound, due to the consisting various growing factors. the aim of the experimental study is to evaluate the effi ciency of prf and prf/autogenous graft combination on bone healing in different time intervals. materials and methods: a total of 24 skeletally mature new zealand rabbits were used. animals were divided randomly into two groups. two bone defects with a diameter 3, 3 mm were created on the right and left tibia in all group animals. only particulate autogeneous bone graft, only prf, combination of prf and autogeneous bone graft and empty bone cavity, were performed to all animals. the animals in the fi rst experimental group were sacrifi ced after 30 days. the animals in the second experimental group were sacrifi ced after 60 days from the operation. histomorphometrical and statistical analysis was performed. the data were analyzed using tukey test ( p < 0.05 for osteoblast number, p < 0.01 for osteoclast and new bone area values). results: histomorphometrical analyzes showed that either prf used alone or used in conjuction with autogenous bone graft, prf accelerated the healing of the bone defects. there were statistically signifi cant differences in osteoblast, osteoblast and new bone area values in prf alone and autogenous graft with prf than the other groups. conclusion: our preliminary result demonstrated that prf increase new bone formation and has a positive effect on early bone healing. key words: bone defect, bone healing, platelet-rich fi brin