Autologous platelet-rich fibrin: can it secure a better healing?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) in the healing of impacted mandibular third molar (M3) extraction sockets. STUDY DESIGN: This study included 30 patients with bilaterally symmetric impacted M3 (N = 60) requiring transalveolar extraction. All patients were assigned numbers randomly; left-sided M3 patients with odd numbers and right-sided patients with even numbers were categorized into group A (test group), and the other side of the mouth was classified as "group B" (control group). Group A M3 extraction sockets received PRF, whereas group B sockets were closed without PRF. Patients were evaluated for pain and swelling on postoperative days 1, 3, 7, and 14. Bone healing was compared on postoperative weeks 8 and 16. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's multiple comparison tests were applied for statistical analysis. RESULTS: A total of 30 patients, ages 18 to 40 years, participated in this study. The overall postoperative pain score (visual analogue scale [VAS]) and facial swelling percentages were lower for group A compared with group B (P < .05). Early bone healing was also evident on postoperative radiographs obtained at weeks 8 and 16 in group A (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The use of autologous PRF aids in earlier and better wound healing in a controlled manner.

Surgical Staples: A Superior Alternative to Sutures for Skin Closure After Neck Dissection-A Single-Blinded Prospective Randomized Clinical Study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of staples in skin closure after neck dissection in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma. The authors hypothesized that the use of staples would result in better wound closure compared with the use of nonabsorbable monofilament sutures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective single-blinded randomized clinical trial was performed to compare various parameters, including time for wound closure, inflammatory changes, pain, cost efficacy, complications, and esthetic outcome of skin closure with surgical staples versus nonabsorbable monofilament sutures and to determine their statistical relevance using χ2 and Mann-Whitney U tests. RESULT: In a study of 124 patients, the mean skin closure time was 29.2 ± 4 minutes with sutures (n = 61) and 5.3 ± 1.29 minutes with staples (n = 63), which was significant (P = .01). Mean pain scores during removal using the visual analog scale were 5.08 ± 1.29 and 3.15 ± 0.89 with sutures and staples, respectively. Postoperative complications, such as gapping and stitch abscess with purulent discharge, were noted. CONCLUSION: Staples provided better esthetics with fewer complications, faster closure, minimal pain at removal, and faster healing compared with sutures. The slowest closure time in the staples group was 4 times faster than the fastest closure time in the sutures group. However, staples cost 5 times more than sutures.

Urban and rural disparity in tobacco use and knowledge about oral cancer among adolescents: An epidemiological survey on 12 and 15-year school going students.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To assess and compare the tobacco use prevalence; to understand and compare attitudes and knowledge related to tobacco use and its health impact among urban and rural students; and to assess urban and rural disparity in the use of tobacco among 12 and 15-year-old adolescents in the urban and rural schools in Chhattisgarh, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 12 and 15-year-old and urban and rural school going children in Durg District. Scientifically, based on the data obtained from the pilot study, sample size was calculated. A total of 1000 children were selected to be a part of the study and were interviewed face-to-face using a detailed pretested, close-ended questionnaire. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 16.0 (SPSS Pvt. Ltd, Chicago, IL, USA) was used for the statistical analyses. RESULTS: Prevalence of tobacco consumption was 48.8%. Males were involved predominantly in consuming tobacco. The knowledge and attitude was better in the school children of urban areas than the school children of rural areas; more of the urban school children were involved in smoking cigarette. Rural children outnumbered urban children in the smokeless tobacco consumption. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of tobacco consumption among school children remains high with a wide disparity among urban and rural children. There is an urgent need to have a rural orientation in the National Tobacco Control Program that is currently being developed by the Government of India and giving relevance to the youth.