Effect of Platelet-rich Plasma on the Clinical Success of Alveolar Grafts in Patients With Cleft Lip and Palate: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objectives: This study assessed the effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on the clinical success of alveolar grafts in patients with cleft lip and palate.

Materials And Methods: In this meta-analysis, a search of the literature was conducted in Medline, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for randomized clinical trials using PRP or platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) along with autogenous bone for alveolar ridge grafts in patients with cleft lip and palate. The methodological quality of the studies was analyzed using Cochrane's risk of the bias assessment tool. The extracted data underwent meta-analysis using the random-effects model.

Results: Of a total of 2256 articles retrieved, 12 met the eligibility criteria and were enrolled; out of which 6 did not undergo meta-analysis due to heterogeneous data. The percentage of defects filled by bone graft was 0.648% (95% confidence interval: -0.15 to 1.45), which was not statistically significant ( P =0.115). Subgroup analysis showed no significant difference based on the use of PRF or PRP ( P =0.28), type of cleft (unilateral/bilateral; P =0.56), or type of radiographic modality (3D/2D; P =0.190). Meta-regression analysis showed that the duration of follow-up and the difference in the mean age of patients did not have a significant effect on the results (R=0, I2: high).

Conclusion: The application of PRP/PRF in combination with autogenous bone graft did not have a significant effect on the percentage of alveolar cleft filled by a bone graft. Future clinical studies are required to further elucidate the effect of PRP in the regeneration of alveolar clefts.