Bone healing in critical-size defects treated with platelet-rich plasma: a histologic and histometric study in rat calvaria.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to analyze histologically the influence of autologous platelet-rich plasma on bone healing in surgically created critical-size defects in rat calvaria.


METHODS
Thirty-two rats were divided into two groups: the control group (group C) and the platelet-rich plasma group. An 8-mm-diameter critical-size defect was created in the calvarium of each animal. In group C the defect was filled by a blood clot only. In the platelet-rich plasma group, 0.35 mL of platelet-rich plasma was placed in the defect and covered by 0.35 mL of platelet-poor plasma. Both groups were divided into subgroups (n = 8) and killed at either 4 or 12 wk postoperatively. Histometric (using image-analysis software) and histologic analyses were performed. The amount of new bone formed was calculated as a percentage of the total area of the original defect. Percentage data were transformed into arccosine for statistical analysis (analysis of variance, Tukey, p < 0.05).


RESULTS
No defect completely regenerated with bone. The platelet-rich plasma group had a statistically greater amount of bone formation than group C at both 4 wk (17.68% vs. 7.20%, respectively) and 12 wk (24.69% vs. 11.65%, respectively) postoperatively.


CONCLUSIONS
Within the limits of this study, it can be concluded that platelet-rich plasma placed in the defects and covered by platelet-poor plasma significantly enhanced bone healing in critical-size defects in rat calvaria.
Messora
M R
MR
Division of Periodontics, Department of Surgery and Integrated Clinic, Dental School of Araçatuba, São Paulo State University, Brazil.
Nagata
M J H
MJ
Mariano
R C
RC
Dornelles
R C M
RC
Bomfim
S R M
SR
Fucini
S E
SE
Garcia
V G
VG
Bosco
A F
AF
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001861:Bone Regeneration; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D010976:Platelet Count; D053657:Platelet-Rich Plasma; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D012886:Skull / Q000601:surgery