Leukocyte- and Platelet-Rich Fibrin in the Surgical Treatment of Medication-related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw

Overview

Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is a rare but serious side-effect of antiresorptive therapies used in the management of bone diseases, such as osteoporosis or bone metastases. A surgical management can lead to a resolution of the disease, but with perfectible results. For this purpose, the use of autologous platelet concentrates (APC) can be useful. With this study, researchers aim to demonstrate the efficacy of L-PRF (Leukocyte- and Platelet-Rich Fibrin) as an adjunct to the surgical treatment of MRONJ in terms of wound healing.

Resulting in bone loss, infection, pain or discomfort, the presence of MRONJ decreases the quality of life of patients. There isn't any consensus about the treatment modalities for MRONJ, nor about its main goals. Traditionally, therapeutics only aimed to control and prevent the progression of the disease, but recent studies suggest that a whole resolution can currently be expected, especially from surgical therapies. These, when indicated, are not only intended for the removal of the pathological tissue, but above all for an hermetic mucosal healing, preventing secondary infection of the underlying bone. The L-PRF (Leukocyte- and Platelet-Rich Fibrin) is a second-generation APC, produced in a strictly autologous way, by extemporaneous centrifugation of the patient's own blood. A fibrin clot, containing leukocytes and thrombocytes, is thereby isolated and transformed into membranes by compression. Their appliance to the surgical site allows a slow release of growth factors and cytokines with a positive effect on the revascularization of the wound. Unfortunately, scientific evidence of their efficiencies is lacking. Therefore, a protocol of randomized clinical trial is proposed, aimed at evaluating the effect of the adjunction of APC to surgical procedures on the complete mucosal healing and thus the resolution of the MRONJ. The control treatment strategy consists of the complete removal of the necrotic bone, in bleeding margins, followed by a tension-free and hermetic closure. In the test group, suturing will be preceded by the application of L-PRF membranes under the wound. Patients will be followed for 6 months, during which the maintain of wound closure will be monitored. An evaluation of pain, health-related quality of life and oral health-related quality of life, will also be reported, such as the occurrence of adverse events.