Can platelet-rich fibrin accelerate neurosensory recovery following sagittal split osteotomy? A double-blind, split-mouth, randomized clinical trial

Neurosensory disturbance (NSD) is common following sagittal split osteotomy (SSO) surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) on neurosensory recovery following SSO. This double-blind, split-mouth, randomized clinical trial was performed on patients undergoing bilateral SSO. PRF was applied to one side (selected using computer randomization) after the osteotomy and before fixation. The other side served as the control. The two-point discrimination test and a brush directional stroke test were used to assess NSD at 6 and 12 months postoperative. Self-reported paresthesia was documented using a 10-point visual analogue scale (VAS). Twenty-one patients were included in the study. The results of the two-point discrimination test and the number of subjects who reported a true direction in the brush directional stroke test differed significantly between the treatment and control sides (P=0.001). The recovery of NSD (self-reported paresthesia) was better on the treatment side than on the control side (P=0.001). PRF may enhance the recovery of paresthesia following SSO.