The Comparative Evaluation of Novel Second Generation Platelet Rich Fibrin Membrane and Conventional Collagen Membrane as Grafting Materials in Post-Fibrotomy Defects of Oral Submucous Fibrosis Lesions

Abstract

Oral SubmucousFibrosis(OSMF) is a premalignant condition predominantly affecting people of south-east Asian origin. Histologically, progressive submucosal fibrous band formation is a characteristic feature which requires surgical excision in advanced cases. A various grafting materials have been used to cover post-surgical defects such as buccal fat pad, nasolabial flap, platysma flap, and collagen membrane each with different advantages and disadvantages. But in today’s era of tissue engineering Platelet Rich Fibrin (PRF) based on the platelet gel therapeutic concept is gaining popularity in restorative procedures, after its development by Choukroun et al. in 2001. PRF membrane being an autogenous growth factor-rich fibrin biomaterial is compared for efficacy with widely used collagen xenograft. As per our knowledge of the literature, this study is the first comparative analysis between PRF membrane and Collagen membrane as reconstructive materials post fibrotomy of OSMF bands. 30 patients including males and females diagnosed clinically with OSMF were grouped post randomization and post-fibrotomy defects were reconstructed with PRF membrane (Group 1) and Collagen membrane (Group 2). Post-operative pain, edema, epithelization, mucosal suppleness, mouth opening, and patient compliance were noted. Data was statistically analyzed with SPSS® IBM® (version 21) software. PRF membrane group showed significant reduction in pain, rapid recovery from mucosal edema, faster rate of epithelization and improvement in mucosal suppleness. Though trend for mouth opening over the period of follow-up was similar in both groups, patient compliance for post-operative jaw physiotherapy was found to be better with PRF membrane grafted patients. With the only drawback of technique sensitivity PRF membrane is emerging as an excellent option for the reconstruction of soft tissue defects. © Association of Otolaryngologists of India 2025.