Evaluation of the effect of injectable platelet-rich fibrin (I-PRF) in reducing the resorption of fat graft during facial lipostructure: A randomized clinical trial
Kamal Alkerdi, Laith Alsabek, Muaaz Alkhouli, Zuhair Al‐Nerabieah, Mohamad Hassan Jaafo
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Fat graft is considered to be the ideal material for soft tissue augmentation. However, its disadvantage are unpredictable outcomes due to variable resorption. OBJECTIVES: This study is the first clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of adding injectable platelet-rich fibrin (I-PRF) to fat graft and to compare it with the conventional fat graft in terms of absorption rate. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was designed as a double-blind, split-face, randomized, controlled clinical trial. Twenty patients were randomly assigned with regard to the right or left nasolabial folds into 2 groups (n = 10 in each group): group A (fat graft only); and group B (fat graft with I-PRF). Surgical lipostructure was performed in accordance with the protocols described by Coleman. The adipose tissue was extracted from the umbilical region. Then, for the I-PRF preparation, peripheral venous blood was collected into plastic tubes. The follow-up recall visits took place after 1 and 12 months. Five investigators evaluated the preand post-surgical intervention photographs based on the Modified Fitzpatrick Wrinkle Scale (MFWS). RESULTS: The nasolabial fold depth scores were recorded at each of the study phases: before the intervention (1); after 1 month (2); and after 12 months (3). There were statistically significant differences between the scores at various study phases in each group. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to detect differences between the 2 groups. There was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups regarding nasolabial fold depth 1 month after the intervention (p = 0.360). After 12 months, however, the patients in group A showed higher nasolabial fold depth scores as compared to group B; this difference was statistically significant (p = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated the efficacy of I-PRF in reducing the resorption of fat graft, following facial lipostructure.