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

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 pre-and 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.