title: Platelet-rich fibrin as an adjunct to palatal wound healing after harvesting a free gingival graft: A case series.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Owing to its stimulatory effect on angiogenesis and epithelialization, platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) is an excellent material for enhancing wound healing. The use of PRF dressings may be a simple and effective method of reducing the morbidity associated with donor sites of autogenous free gingival grafts (FGGs). The purpose of this case series is to document the beneficial role of PRF in the healing of FGG donor sites.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 18 patients treated with FGGs could be classified into two groups. PRF was prepared, compressed and used to dress the palatal wound followed by a periodontal pack in one group (10 patients) and only a periodontal pack was used in the other group (8 patients). Post-operative healing was assessed clinically at 7, 14 and 21 days and the morbidity was assessed qualitatively by an interview.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sites where PRF was used showed complete wound closure by 14 days and these patients reported lesser post-operative morbidity than patients in whom PRF was not used.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PRF as a dressing is an effective method of enhancing the healing of the palatal donor site and consequently reducing the post-operative morbidity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Mihir Raghavendra
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Kulkarni
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Betsy Sara
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Jothi M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Varghese
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Dental Sciences, Division of Periodontics, College of Dentistry, University of Dammam, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Giliyar Subraya
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Bhat
keywords: Free gingival graft; healing; patient morbidity; platelet-rich fibrin; post-operative bleeding