Regenerative potential of leucocyte‐ and platelet‐rich fibrin. Part A: intra‐bony defects, furcation defects and periodontal plastic surgery. A systematic review and meta‐analysis

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:sec><jats:title>Aim</jats:title><jats:p>To analyse the regenerative potential of leucocyte‐ and platelet‐rich fibrin (L‐<jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">PRF</jats:styled-content>) during periodontal surgery.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Materials and Methods</jats:title><jats:p>An electronic and hand search were conducted in three databases. Only randomized clinical trials were selected and no follow‐up limitation was applied. Pocket depth (<jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">PD</jats:styled-content>), clinical attachment level (<jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">CAL</jats:styled-content>), bone fill, keratinized tissue width (<jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">KTW</jats:styled-content>), recession reduction and root coverage (%) were considered as outcome. When possible, meta‐analysis was performed.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Results</jats:title><jats:p>Twenty‐four articles fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Three subgroups were created: intra‐bony defects (<jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">IBD</jats:styled-content>s), furcation defects and periodontal plastic surgery. Meta‐analysis was performed in all the subgroups. Significant <jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">PD</jats:styled-content> reduction (1.1 ± 0.5 mm, <jats:italic>p</jats:italic> < 0.001), <jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">CAL</jats:styled-content> gain (1.2 ± 0.6 mm, <jats:italic>p</jats:italic> < 0.001) and bone fill (1.7 ± 0.7 mm, <jats:italic>p</jats:italic> < 0.001) were found when comparing L‐<jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">PRF</jats:styled-content> to open flap debridement (<jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">OFD</jats:styled-content>) in <jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">IBD</jats:styled-content>s. For furcation defects, significant <jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">PD</jats:styled-content> reduction (1.9 ± 1.5 mm, <jats:italic>p</jats:italic> = 0.01), <jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">CAL</jats:styled-content> gain (1.3 ± 0.4 mm, <jats:italic>p</jats:italic> < 0.001) and bone fill (1.5 ± 0.3 mm, <jats:italic>p</jats:italic> < 0.001) were reported when comparing L‐<jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">PRF</jats:styled-content> to <jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">OFD</jats:styled-content>. When L‐<jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">PRF</jats:styled-content> was compared to a connective tissue graft, similar outcomes were recorded for <jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">PD</jats:styled-content> reduction (0.2 ± 0.3 mm, <jats:italic>p</jats:italic> > 0.05), <jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">CAL</jats:styled-content> gain (0.2 ± 0.5 mm, <jats:italic>p</jats:italic> > 0.05), <jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">KTW</jats:styled-content> (0.3 ± 0.4 mm, <jats:italic>p</jats:italic> > 0.05) and recession reduction (0.2 ± 0.3 mm, <jats:italic>p</jats:italic> > 0.05).</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Conclusions</jats:title><jats:p>L‐<jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">PRF</jats:styled-content> enhances periodontal wound healing.</jats:p></jats:sec>