Evaluation of use of platelet rich fibrin combined with autogenous iliac bone graft for closure of unilateral alveolar cleft

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of platelet rich fibrin combined with
autogenous iliac bone graft for closure of unilateral alveolar cleft.
Patients and Methods: Eight patients with unilateral alveolar cleft were included in this study,
5 patients were males and 3 patients were females, their ages ranged from 9-11 years with a mean
of 8.9 years. All patients were evaluated preoperatively both clinically and radiographically. All
clinical and radiographic parameters were performed immediate, 1, 3and 6 months postoperatively.
Results: All patients showed uneventful wound healing, without any evidence of occurence of
wound infection except in case no. (7), who showed presence of infection after one month but the
case was improved through the late follow-up with administration of I.V. antibiotics. Regarding
to extrusion of iliac crest graft, no graft extrusion occurred through all the follow-up periods. The
visual analogue pain scale (VAS) revealed no pain after 6 months follow-up periods in all patients.
All patients showed uneventful closure of the alveolar arch and no oronasal fistula had been detected
in any patients through all the follow-up periods. Radiographic evaluation revealed proper height
and density of the inserted iliac crest graft.
Conclusion: The use of combined mixture of platelet rich fibrin (PRF) and autogenous chips of
iliac crest graft is safe and efficient method for performing repair to the alveolar cleft as this mixture
leads to occurence of proper increase in bone height and density of the repaired alveolar cleft.