title: The effect of platelet-rich plasma on flap survival in random extension of an axial pattern flap in rabbits.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Autologous platelet-rich plasma contains multiple growth factors. The aim of this randomized trial was to study the effect of an injection of platelet-rich plasma during random extension of an axial pattern flap procedure.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen male New Zealand white rabbits were assigned randomly to two groups of eight animals each. A 10 × 10-cm unipedicled fasciocutaneous island flap was elevated. After flap elevation, the experimental group was injected evenly with platelet-rich plasma. For the control group, normal saline was injected into the same areas. The flap survival area was assessed 2 weeks after the operation. Microvessel density and mature vessel density were evaluated to examine the angiogenic and arteriogenic effects, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Flap survival was significantly increased in the experimental group (80.3 ± 10.0 percent) compared with the control group (55.2 ± 13.6 percent; p = 0.001). Immunohistologic staining showed that the microvessel density (38.8 ± 11.0 per high-power field for the experimental group; 17.6 ± 6.6 per high-power field for the control group; p = 0.001) and mature vessel density (16.3 ± 4.1 per high-power field for the experimental group; 7.4 ± 1.7 per high-power field for the control group; p = 0.001) were significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The authors' data indicate that platelet-rich plasma injection significantly improves the surviving area of flaps through angiogenic and arteriogenic effects. Thus, it could be used in a clinical situation as a minimally invasive, fast, and easily applicable treatment.
authors.affiliation: Busan, Republic of Korea From the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the Department of Anatomy, Kosin University College of Medicine.
authors.forename: Hyo Young
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jin Hyung
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Yea Sik
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Hyun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001706:Biopsy; D005205:Fascia / Q000098:blood supply / Q000637:transplantation*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006085:Graft Survival; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007267:Injections; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D007432:Intraoperative Period; D008297:Male; D055806:Microvessels / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000502:physiology*; D053657:Platelet-Rich Plasma; D011817:Rabbits; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins