In my last blog post, I wrote all about PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) and why it is has many valuable qualities that we can use to our advantage. Today, I would like to compare PRP to the newer PRF (Platelet-Rich Fibrin). Though PRP and PRF are both types of blood concentrate therapy, in which certain components of blood are concentrated in order to harness growth factors, they differ in some key characteristics that I will discuss here.
In the process of creating PRP, a patient’s blood is drawn and then placed into a test tube with anticoagulant and then centrifuged (spun). After this initial spin, the material of interest is extracted, put into another tube without anticoagulant and then centrifuged again. The concentrated PRP is then recovered from this tube and then mixed with bovine (cow-derived) thrombin and calcium chloride which serve as pro-coagulants and activate the platelets and growth factors. It is now ready for use.
In contrast to PRP, creating PRF is a much simpler process. No anticoagulants are needed, there is no need for thrombin additives, and a 2-spin centrifugation is not required. To generate PRF, blood is collected and placed into a test tube without any anticoagulants. This is then immediately transferred to the centrifuge and a spin cycle is initiated. The material of interest (PRF in this case) is then extracted and ready for use.
The literature suggests that the ideal concentration of platelets in PRP is 3-5x that of that found in the blood. This provides the adequate therapeutic concentration of growth factors which are the key to PRP’s efficacy. PRF, on the other hand, contains up to 10x the platelet concentration of blood. In addition to platelets, PRF also contains a fibrin matrix, white blood cells, and mesenchymal stem cells. The fibrin matrix has been shown to lead to a more sustained release of growth factors (over days to weeks with PRF vs minutes to hours with PRP) and the additional components of PRF have beneficial effects on tissue growth and healing.
PRF is a new generation of platelet concentrate, with simplified processing and no artificial biochemical modification as is seen with PRP. The concentration of growth factors are higher and their release is sustained over a longer period of time. Though more studies are needed, initial results are encouraging across many disciplines including Facial Plastic Surgery. As always, please feel free to contact me either through this website or through social media with any further questions.
Additional Reading
Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF): a second-generation platelet concentrate. Part I: technological concepts and evolution. Dohan DM, Choukroun J, Diss A, Dohan SL, Dohan AJ, Mouhyi J, Gogly B
Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 2006 Mar; 101(3):e37-44.
Prakash S, Thakur A. Platelet concentrates: Past, present and future. J Maxillofac Oral Surg 2011;10:45-9.
