title: Effect of administration of platelet-rich plasma in early phases of distraction osteogenesis: an experimental study in an ovine femur model.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It has been suggested that platelet-rich plasma (PRP) might enhance bone formation. The aim of this study was to quantify the effect of PRP administered in the early phases of distraction osteogenesis in an ovine femur model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty sheep aged 4 months underwent osteotomy of the femoral diaphysis followed by distraction osteogenesis. The sheep were divided into two groups of 10. One group received three injections of PRP on days 0, 10, and 20 of the procedure (PRP group) and the other received no additional treatment (control group). The results were evaluated by computed tomography (CT) and histology on completion of distraction osteogenesis (day 40). CT evaluation included measurement of the callus and bone density. Femur size was also measured proximally and distally. Histological evaluation was used to quantify osteoblasts, osteoclasts, vascular lumens, and trabecular maturity by zones and to calculate trabecular bone, fibrous tissue, and cartilage ratios.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Radiological and histological evaluation of the regenerate bone showed no significant differences between the PRP group and the control group for any of the variables analysed. The only significant difference detected was a wider femur (increased diaphyseal thickness) at the proximal and distal levels in the PRP group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We found no radiological or histological evidence that the administration of PRP in the early phases of distraction osteogenesis enhances bone formation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University Hospital Donostia, Department of Surgery, Radiology and Physical Medicine of the University of the Basque Country (UPV-EHU), San Sebastián, Spain. ahf.donostia@gmail.com
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hernandez-Fernandez
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vélez
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Soldado
authors.forename: Juan Carlos
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Saenz-Ríos
authors.forename: Ignasi
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Barber
authors.forename: Marius
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aguirre-Canyadell
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001852:Bone Lengthening; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005269:Femur / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D010012:Osteogenesis; D019857:Osteogenesis, Distraction / Q000379:methods; D053657:Platelet-Rich Plasma / Q000378:metabolism*; D011859:Radiography; D034561:Sheep, Domestic / Q000601:surgery; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous