Incorporating antibiotics into platelet‐rich fibrin: A novel antibiotics slow‐release biological device

Background The aim of the present in vitro study was to explore the possibility of using platelet‐rich fibrin ( PRF ) as a local sustained released device for antibiotics. Materials and methods Platelet‐rich fibrin was prepared with the addition of antibiotics (5 mg/ml metronidazole; 150 mg/ml clindamycin; 1 mU/ml penicillin) or saline prior to centrifugation, while collagen sponges served as control. PRF s anti‐bacterial properties were examined in an anti‐biogram assay with Staphylococcus aureus or Fusobacterium nucleatum at different time intervals after PRF preparation. Results The addition of antibiotic solutions at volumes of 2 or 1 ml led to significant changes in PRF 's physical properties, while the addition of 0.5 ml solution did not. PRF with saline showed minor anti‐bacterial activity, while all PRF s with antibiotics showed significant anti‐bacterial activity ( p  < 0.05). No differences were observed between raw (clot) and pressed (membrane) forms of PRF . Collagen sponges with and without antibiotics showed similar results to PRF . PRF and collagen sponges with antibiotics preserved their anti‐bacterial properties 4 days after preparation. Conclusions Platelet‐rich fibrin incorporated with antibiotics showed long‐term anti‐bacterial effect against F. nucleatum and S. aureus . This modified PRF preparation may be used to reduce the risk of post‐operative infection in addition to the beneficial healing properties of PRF .