NADİA COCERO, LAURA BERGAMASCO, MARCO MOZZATİ
International Dental Research - 2012;2(2):33-36
Aim: Surgical treatment of patients with severe thrombocytopaenia (<50,000 platelets/ L) is a major problem for dentists due to an increased risk of bleeding. To reduce post-extraction haemorrhage, we tested a new approach using a platelet concentrate and compared its outcomes with those of routine platelet transfusion. Methodology: Sixty-six patients with a platelet count between 29,000 and 46,000/ L were included in the study. Each patient was to undergo at least two sessions for the extraction of teeth; in one session the patients received a platelet transfusion before the extraction and in the other the post-alveolar sockets were treated with Plasma Rich in Growth Factors (PRGF). Patients were evaluated after 0.4, 1, 3 and 7 days to assess bleeding and haematoma. Results: Patients treated with PRGF consistently exhibited a statistically significant reduction in post-extraction bleeding, hematoma and need for re-intervention. There is ample evidence that application of PRGF in the post-alveolar socket markedly reduced the risk of haemorrhage and associated complications in all patients. Conclusion: PRGF concentrate is recommended for the treatment of thrombocytopaenic patients due to its remarkable ability to stimulate healing while greatly reducing side effects, such as bleeding and haematoma.
