PRP PRF Extraction | Clinical Preparation Guidelines

PRP PRF Extraction: Technical Considerations That Impact Biologic Outcomes

Clinicians familiar with orthobiologics know that getting the biologic "right" isn’t just about drawing blood — it’s about precision in processing. Whether you're preparing platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), the prp prf extraction process directly shapes what ends up in your syringe — and ultimately, what ends up in your clinical results.

As PRP and PRF continue to be used across musculoskeletal, orthopedic, and regenerative practices, it’s critical to understand their unique preparation workflows. While they share a common starting point (autologous blood), the biologic outcomes they deliver differ significantly based on technique.

In this blog, we’ll explore the procedural differences in extracting PRP and PRF, identify critical points where errors occur, and highlight what every physician should know about maintaining quality and consistency during biologic preparation.

PRP vs. PRF: What's the Core Difference?

Before diving into prp prf extraction, it’s worth distinguishing what each product actually delivers.

• PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma): A liquid-phase autologous plasma enriched with platelets and, in some formulations, monocytes. PRP uses anticoagulants to prevent clotting and is injected as a flowable fluid.
  
  

• PRF (Platelet-Rich Fibrin): A fibrin-based concentrate that contains platelets, leukocytes, and a denser scaffold. PRF is processed without anticoagulants, allowing a clot to form, which releases growth factors over time.
  
  

While both are derived from blood, their composition, handling, and application timelines vary. That’s why understanding their extraction workflows is critical.

The PRP PRF Extraction Process: Where It Starts to Matter

PRP and PRF both begin with a venous blood draw, but what happens next creates two very different products.

✅ PRP Extraction Steps

1. Blood drawn into anticoagulant tubes (e.g., ACD-A)
   

2. Centrifugation to separate plasma from red cells
   

3. Optional second spin to concentrate platelets
   

4. Aspirate platelet-rich layer, avoiding buffy coat if neutrophils are unwanted
   

5. Inject immediately or after buffering (optional)
   
   

✅ PRF Extraction Steps

1. Blood drawn without anticoagulant
   

2. Immediate centrifugation (within 60–90 seconds of draw)
   

3. Fibrin clot forms during spin
   

4. PRF clot extracted and trimmed, or injectable PRF drawn off (liquid PRF)
   

5. Used rapidly before clot fully polymerizes
   
   

Because PRF uses no anticoagulant, timing is critical. Even a 30-second delay can lead to clot formation inside the tube, making separation difficult or unusable.

Key Variables That Affect PRP PRF Extraction

From a clinician’s perspective, here are the most impactful factors that affect the quality of prp prf extraction:

1. Centrifugation Settings

• PRP typically uses 900–1,500g for 5–10 minutes
  

• PRF uses lower speeds (~200–700g) to preserve leukocytes and fibrin structure
  

• Incorrect RCF can damage platelets or fail to form a proper clot in PRF
  
  

2. Tube Material and Coating

• PRP tubes contain anticoagulants and are often part of closed systems
  

• PRF tubes require a dry glass surface to activate coagulation properly
  

• Silica-coated or hydrophilic tubes are preferred for PRF to initiate fibrin polymerization
  
  

3. Processing Time

• PRP allows a flexible timeline between draw and spin
  

• PRF must be spun immediately — any delay compromises quality
  

• Clinics must be equipped and trained to process PRF without workflow interruption
  
  

4. Operator Skill

• PRF extraction often involves clot trimming and delicate handling
  

• PRP extraction requires avoiding red cell pull-through during plasma aspiration
  

• Inconsistent technique leads to variability in yield and clinical performance
  
  

How Extraction Impacts Cellular Content

The technique used during prp prf extraction doesn't just influence convenience — it shapes the actual biologic content.

Contamination — especially red cells or neutrophils — typically results from poor layer separation or improper aspiration. For PRF, the issue is usually clot degradation or premature clotting due to timing errors.

PRP and PRF: Clinical Use Cases and Preferences

The choice between prp and prf isn’t binary. Each has strengths, depending on clinical goals.

When PRP is Preferred:

• Intra-articular injections (knee, shoulder OA)
  

• Tendon and ligament pathologies
  

• Post-surgical healing when fluid injectate is needed
  

• PRP stacking with BMAC or microfat
  

• Controlled platelet dosing and leukocyte exclusion
  
  

When PRF is Preferred:

• Surgical augmentation (e.g., graft sites, tunnels)
  

• Tissue regeneration requiring slow-release growth factors
  

• Dental and periodontal procedures
  

• Wound healing and skin integrity applications
  

• Areas where scaffold structure is beneficial
  
  

Some practices use both PRP and PRF within the same treatment session — such as using PRP intra-articularly and applying PRF clots at surgical sites.

Closed Systems vs. Manual Extraction

PRP is often prepared using closed systems like Tropocells, which:

• Minimize contamination risk
  

• Standardize platelet concentration
  

• Reduce technician variability
  

• Improve reproducibility between patients
  
  

PRF, on the other hand, is typically a manual process, making it more dependent on:

• Staff training
  

• Rapid handling post-draw
  

• Environmental controls (temperature, timing)
  
  

While both can be prepared effectively, closed PRP systems offer more consistency for high-volume outpatient use.

Common Errors in PRP PRF Extraction

🔴 For PRP:

• Drawing into the wrong tube (no anticoagulant)
  

• Over-spinning → platelet lysis
  

• Aspirating buffy coat unintentionally → neutrophil contamination
  

• Delayed injection after draw → degradation of bioactivity
  
  

🔴 For PRF:

• Delay between draw and spin → premature clotting
  

• Under-spinning → weak fibrin matrix
  

• Using plastic tubes → poor clot initiation
  

• Incomplete clot separation or damage during trimming
  
  

Clinical Relevance: Why Technique Matters

If you're using biologics, your extraction method determines:

• Platelet concentration and release profile
  

• Presence of immune cells or inflammatory mediators
  

• Fibrin architecture and growth factor timing
  

• Clinical performance — not just on paper, but in patient outcomes
  
  

Understanding the technical nuance of prp prf extraction helps clinicians move beyond "just doing PRP or PRF" — and into delivering controlled, predictable, high-quality biologics.

Final Word: PRP and PRF Are Only As Good As Their Preparation

A poor biologic starts with a poor extraction.

Clinicians aiming to integrate prp and prf into practice should evaluate not only product claims, but also system compatibility, training, and centrifuge protocols.

Whether you're using PRP for knee OA or PRF for surgical sites, the quality of the biologic depends on what you do at the prep table — not just the treatment room.

Explore Validated PRP Systems at Accretion Portal

Accretion Portal offers PRP and PRF kits, tubes, and compatible centrifuges for clinical use.

Browse our available systems or contact our team to learn more about product specifications and ordering options.