Plasma Rich in Growth Factors Improves Patients' Postoperative Quality of Life in Maxillary Sinus Floor Augmentation: Preliminary Results of a Randomized Clinical Study

Purpose: The control of postoperative discomfort may improve the patient's quality of life as well as treatment acceptance. The aim of the present preliminary report was to assess if the use of autologous platelet concentrate during maxillary sinus augmentation may have a favorable impact on pain and other factors related to patient's quality of life in the first week after surgery.

Materials and methods: This is an interim report of a randomized single-blind study. Fifteen patients with atrophic edentulous posterior maxilla underwent maxillary sinus augmentation using deproteinized bovine bone matrix (DBBM) as the grafting material (control group). In other 15 patients (test group), autologous plasma rich in growth factors (P-PRP) was added to DBBM, then a P-PRP clot was applied to covering the graft before suturing and finally P-PRP was placed over the suture in liquid form. During the first week postsurgery, all patients filled in a questionnaire for evaluation of main symptoms and daily activities. The outcomes of the questionnaires of the two groups were statistically compared.

Results: In the first days postsurgery, the group using P-PRP reported significantly less pain, swelling, and hematoma, and improved functional activities with respect to the control group.

Conclusions: The adjunct of P-PRP to the maxillary sinus augmentation procedure produced a beneficial effect to patients' quality of life in the early postsurgical phase.