Platelet-rich fibrin as a hemostatic agent in dental extractions in patients taking anticoagulants or antiplatelet medication: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate whether platelet-rich-fibrin (PRF) is effective in preventing postoperative bleeding after dental extractions in patients on anticoagulation or antiplatelet therapy compared to stitches alone and different hemostatic agents.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This systematic review was conducted and reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). The protocol was registered at the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) (registration number CRD42024562289). Two authors independently performed searches in several databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and SCOPUS.

RESULTS

In total, 789 studies were identified, of which 11 met the inclusion criteria after full-text screening. Four studies evaluated the efficiency of PRF in patients on antiplatelet therapy, and seven studies analyzed its hemostatic effect in patients on anticoagulants. All studies showed sufficient hemostasis when PRF was used, but due to heterogeneity meta-analysis was not possible.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the use of different protocols and control groups, PRF treatment seems to be superior to only stitches and inferior to chitosan dressings concerning the time of hemostasis. Additionally, PRF seems to be beneficial in terms of faster wound healing and less postoperative pain.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

PRF is known to enhance soft tissue healing and reduce postoperative pain. As a fully autologous platelet concentrate, it can support hemostasis after dental extractions in patients on antiplatelet or anticoagulation therapy. This systematic review aims to provide an update of the existing literature on PRF and its hemostatic capacity in patients with blood thinning medication.