Three-dimensional architecture and cell composition of a Choukroun's platelet-rich fibrin clot and membrane.
BACKGROUND
Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF; Choukroun's technique) is a second-generation platelet concentrate for surgical use. This easy protocol allows the production of leukocyte and platelet-rich fibrin clots and membranes starting from 10-ml blood samples. The purposes of this study were to determine the cell composition and three-dimensional organization of this autologous biomaterial and to evaluate the influence of different collection tubes (dry glass or glass-coated plastic tubes) and compression procedures (forcible or soft) on the final PRF-membrane architecture.


METHODS
After centrifugation, blood analyses were performed on the residual waste plasmatic layers after collecting PRF clots. The PRF clots and membranes were processed for examination by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy.


RESULTS
Approximately 97% of the platelets and >50% of the leukocytes were concentrated in the PRF clot and showed a specific three-dimensional distribution, depending on the centrifugation forces. Platelets and fibrin formed large clusters of coagulation in the first millimeters of the membrane beyond the red blood cell base. The fibrin network was very mature and dense. Moreover, there was no significant difference in the PRF architecture between groups using the different tested collection tubes and compression techniques, even if these two parameters could have influenced the growth factor content and biologic matrix properties.


CONCLUSIONS
The PRF protocol concentrated most platelets and leukocytes from a blood harvest into a single autologous fibrin biomaterial. This protocol offers reproducible results as long as the main production principles are respected.
Dohan Ehrenfest
David M
DM
Department of Biomaterials, Institute for Clinical Sciences, The Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Medicinaregatan 8B, 41390 Gothenburg, Sweden. lob5@mac.com
Del Corso
Marco
M
Diss
Antoine
A
Mouhyi
Jaafar
J
Charrier
Jean-Baptiste
JB
D000328:Adult; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001777:Blood Coagulation; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000166:cytology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D002498:Centrifugation; D005337:Fibrin / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D015718:Fibrin Tissue Adhesive; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D008566:Membranes / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008875:Middle Aged; D010976:Platelet Count; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D015718:Fibrin Tissue Adhesive; D005337:Fibrin