A Comparative Study of 2 Methods for Obtaining Platelet-Rich Plasma
Purpose
Double and single centrifugation are the most commonly used techniques for obtaining platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in dentistry. In this study, we used and compared 2 methods for obtaining PRP: double centrifugation (ACE system; Surgical Supply and Surgical Science Systems, Brockton, MA) and single centrifugation (Nahita system; Nahita, Navarra, Spain).
Materials and Methods
Blood samples were obtained from 30 random patients. Each blood sample was treated using the ACE system and Nahita system methods, after which the obtained material was analyzed by flow cytometry for platelet counts and by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for ultrastructural analysis of the PRP gel.
Results
Platelet count analysis of the PRP obtained from both methods revealed that the ACE and Nahita systems accomplished platelet concentrations of (336%) and (227%), respectively. The platelet counting results obtained from the ACE system samples were more dispersed than their Nahita system counterpart. The ultrastructural (ie, TEM) study showed considerable alterations of the platelet aggregates in the ACE’s PRP, especially when the samples were not mixed in the final stage of the procedure, whereas the Nahita aggregates always had a normal physiological appearance.
Conclusions
The ACE double-centrifugation method is able to achieve higher platelet concentrations than the single-centrifugation Nahita system, although the results obtained by ACE were more dispersed. Nevertheless, the ACE system provoked alterations in the PRP ultrastructure, and it was more sensitive to small errors during preparation.
⁎Fellow Researcher, Department of Stomatology III, Faculty of Odontology, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
†Private Practice, Department of Stomatology III, Faculty of Odontology, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
‡Professor, Department of Stomatology III, Faculty of Odontology, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
§Associate Professor, Department of Stomatology III, Faculty of Odontology, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr Blanco Jerez: Departamento de Estomatología III, Facultad de Odontología, Plaza Ramón y Cajal s/n Ciudad Universitaria 28040 Madrid, Spain
ABSTRACT