Increased survival of free fat grafts with platelet-rich plasma in rabbits.
BACKGROUND
Numerous applications of autogenous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) have been studied so far; however, its property of enhancing the survival of free fat grafts has not been defined yet. In the literature, many reports are anecdotal and few include controls to definitely determine the role played by PRP in these grafts.


OBJECTIVE
PRP was investigated to study its effect in free fat grafts' survival in a rabbit model.


METHODS
A total of 30 New Zealand male rabbits aged 6 months received 0.8 g fat tissue (harvested by scissors dissection from the scapular area of the own animal) in the ears and were randomised into two groups. Group 1 (PRP group) was given the combination of 0.8 g of free fat graft and 1 ml of PRP. Group 2 (control group) received 0.8 g of free fat graft and 1 ml of saline solution. The rabbits were followed up for a period of 6 months after the procedure and then euthanised. The grafted tissue was stained with haematoxylin-eosin and submitted to microscopical evaluation. Graft histopathology was investigated for adipocyte viability, number of blood vessels and the presence of necrosis and fibrosis. All data were statistically analysed by the differences between the study groups.


RESULTS
Three major effects of the addition of PRP in the free fat graft were observed. Group 1 showed a significantly higher fat survival weight as compared with the control group (P<0.05). Histopathological investigations revealed that the number of viable adipocytes and blood vessels was higher in group 1, and still, a larger number of necrotic areas and fibrosis were detected between group 2 (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Application of autogenous PRP can enhance free fat graft survival in rabbits.
Pires Fraga
Murillo Francisco
MF
Plastic Surgery Discipline of the Surgery Department, Santa Casa de São Paulo, Faculty of Medical Sciences, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Murifraga@ig.com.br
Nishio
Ricardo Tadashi
RT
Ishikawa
Ruy Saruwatari
RS
Perin
Luis Fernando
LF
Helene
Américo
A
Malheiros
Carlos Alberto
CA
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000637:transplantation*; D000818:Animals; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D023421:Models, Animal; D053657:Platelet-Rich Plasma / Q000502:physiology*; D011817:Rabbits; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology